🌊 Fear and Loathing in Washington, DC

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Two of Roca’s founding beliefs: News companies spread too much fear; they only spread fear about the opposing side. Today, we document two cases of panic – one on the left, one on the right – and share the facts underlying the partisan hysteria.

Washington, DC

Fear is rife in the nation’s capital. The city – where we used to live and founded Roca – has always been calm. Sleepy. A place where change happens slowly.

Even during Trump’s first term, little changed. There was more business at Republican bars like “Rebellion” and an influx of residents to the allegedly “Republican neighborhood” of Navy Yard. There were more complaints, more despair, more protests. But little changed. 

Not this time. 

Eight years later, not only is Rebellion gone (it closed during lockdown) but panic has gripped the city: Panic about a white nationalist takeover; about a purge of minorities from the government; about the punishing of trans employees.

At a dinner in DC on Monday, the fear verged on hysteria. 

Trump is purging minorities from the government, one DC resident said. 

He banned health organizations from using the word “pregnant,” said another. 

He eliminated Martin Luther King Jr. day, said a third. 

I asked for proof; they insisted they weren’t making it up. 

“The world is in a very dark place right now,” one said.

Purges, “pregnant,” an end to MLK Day: What were they referring to? What are the facts?

Thanks to those of you who sent in so much feedback about our migrant report. We are grateful to have you reading. For those who missed it, part one is here. You can find the other parts from there.

We’ll be back tomorrow.

–Max and Max

RocaNews co-founders