"a fairly large problem that only I as President could fix"

* the East Wing
* the absence of an oversized arch in DC
* free transit of the Strait of Hormuz

Race, Fear, and Politics in American History OAH (Organization of American Historians) Conference 2026

Moving my newsletter off substack, and here's my first post in the new place--an amazing roundtable panel at the Organization of American Historians conference in Philly last week with @kevinmkruse.bsky.social @kcarterjackson.bsky.social and Jeff Cowie!
gauthamrao.beehiiv.com/p/race-fear-...

A watchful D.C. resident sent me a photo of something we haven’t seen in years; water flowing down the cascading fountain at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. NPS started work on the long-dry fountain late last year, as part of a broader project to refurbish the park.

The article's existence negates its own argument. The fact that the easiest way for an academic to land an opinion piece in The Chronicle or Inside Higher Ed is by offering contrarian takes about how awful academia is suggests a strong desire to look in the mirror.

Have you mapped out your #DCHistCon 2026 experience? Check out the schedule-at-a-glance, plus the full program to plan your experience at the 52nd annual conference at the MLK Library (901 G St NW): conference.dchistory.org/programs

A group of men are gathered around the front steps and second-floor windows of a row house. Bicycles are seen in front of the house and near the street in foreground. To the right, a man, woman, and child are on the front steps of a neighboring house.

Capital Bicycle Club's meeting house, 919 G Street NW, c. 1880s

digdc.dclibrary.org/do/6904faf4-...

I'll simply say again that for Shlaes to resurface in The Economist at this moment is an indicator of an ambient concern that Rooseveltian policies and politics are increasingly likely. The thing about the New Deal is, it was *immensely popular.* That's terrifying to certain people

Trump wants a sculpture garden for America’s 250th birthday. Sources say it’s unlikely even one statue will be ready. | CNN Politics It was envisioned as an expansive sculpture garden to honor America’s 250th birthday, with 250 statues of figures like Kobe Bryant, Elvis Presley and Rosa Parks.

So, 11 weeks to go until July 4.

Still no statues, no site, no approvals - and no admission from the White House that it ain't happening.

"Choose Justice / Stop John Roberts"

Trump wants a sculpture garden for America’s 250th birthday. Sources say it’s unlikely even one statue will be ready. | CNN Politics It was envisioned as an expansive sculpture garden to honor America’s 250th birthday, with 250 statues of figures like Kobe Bryant, Elvis Presley and Rosa Parks.

So, 11 weeks to go until July 4.

Still no statues, no site, no approvals - and no admission from the White House that it ain't happening.

I share some reservations about how the NPVIC would work in practice - and there's virtually no chance of it being in place for 2028.

Still, there's a little satisfaction in seeing the likes of Jason Willick freak out about it.

Being president is a lot of responsibility and playing with his model village makes him happy. Same with his arch.

What the people in the diners demand

He’s Captain Ahab chasing his white w̷h̷a̷l̷e̷ elephant.

Roses are red
I like to sin

Donald Trump chose to inflict on the American people "the largest interruption in flow of energy ever"

Chris Wright, who is an, um, <checks notes> defender of Donald Trump

Trump’s fixation on White House ballroom is increasing, Post analysis finds The president has publicly highlighted his ballroom project on roughly a third of the days this year.

Trump has mentioned the ballroom in public remarks on about 1/3 of the days in 2026.

That's fewer than tariffs and Iran but about as often as health insurance and “affordability.”

The project is broadly unpopular and advisors have urged him to focus on kitchen table issues. But he won't stop.

“crap” became “stuff,” as the Times is a family paper.

“butt” will become “ass,” if we’re lucky!

I had to make some changes to my AI piece before the Times would print it (“we’re a family paper”). A German newspaper wants to rerun it, so I’d like to translate it back before they translate it into German:

Behind Trump’s Public Bravado on the War, He Grapples With His Own Fears The president’s impulsive style has never been tested in a sustained military conflict, and he’s been ruminating on Jimmy Carter’s failure in Iran.

yet again answering the question that was at the top of no one's mind: but how does the President *feel*?

@larryglickman.bsky.social, seems like another one for you

Trump’s fixation on White House ballroom is increasing, Post analysis finds The president has publicly highlighted his ballroom project on roughly a third of the days this year.

Trump has mentioned the ballroom in public remarks on about 1/3 of the days in 2026.

That's fewer than tariffs and Iran but about as often as health insurance and “affordability.”

The project is broadly unpopular and advisors have urged him to focus on kitchen table issues. But he won't stop.

I visited Fort Sumter in 2020. First thing the park guide said as folks got off the boat: "The Civil War was about slavery. There is no honest debate. No, I will not debate you. No, you don't have evidence. The people with evidence all know it's about slavery. Enjoy your visit."

It’s so funny that they pubbed this the day before “john roberts invented the trump era shadow docket to make sure fossil fuel companies could keep killing you and make money doing it” bsky.app/profile/cris...

e.g.

Screenshot from Pete hegseth press conference. He stands at a lectern with flags behind him. Closed captioning reads " maximally postured to restart combat"

"maximally postured" - Pete Hegseth's epitaph

It's far from the biggest problem with this rant, but still worth noting:

this claim that presidents have "desperately wanted and desired" a White House ballroom "for over 150 years" is absolute BS

"National security is not a blank check," Judge Richard Leon wrote.

"No judge can be allowed to stop this Historic and Militarily Imperative Project," the president passively voiced.

This is freshman political science student history paper level stuff right here

Wars have been won by stopping shipping. In ancient Greece, the city-state of Sparta forced the surrender of Athens by blocking its grain supplies. British naval blockades helped defeat Napoleon, who in turn had tried to hurt British merchants by forbidding their products from entering Europe. During the American Civil War, both the North and South attempted blockades.

both-sidesing the naval history of the Civil War, I see

Robert La Follette stands in profile on a sidewalk, at the bottom of a short flight of steps leading to a door. He wears a suit. His holds his left hand out, palm side up. His right hand is raised, in a fist, as if he is just about to strike his palm with it.

Well known fact: they called him Fighting Bob La Follette

Lesser known fact: his chosen mode of combat was rock-scissor-paper

www.senate.gov/artandhistor...

Robert La Follette stands in profile on a sidewalk, at the bottom of a short flight of steps leading to a door. He wears a suit. His holds his left hand out, palm side up. His right hand is raised, in a fist, as if he is just about to strike his palm with it.

Well known fact: they called him Fighting Bob La Follette

Lesser known fact: his chosen mode of combat was rock-scissor-paper

www.senate.gov/artandhistor...