The District is preparing for the military parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary and falls on President Trump's 79th birthday. The procession features thousands of soldiers and 70-ton tanks and will require roads to close around the city as well as DCA airport. City officials are worried about what all of this heavy machinery could mean for local streets and infrastructure. At-Large D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson joined the show to weigh in.

Plus, she discussed the Council wanting more time to approve the RFK stadium deal. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser included a billion dollars for a new Washington Commanders football stadium in her proposed budget, which she unveiled late last month. The Mayor has said the Council needs to approve the deal and the budget by July 15, or the city risks the team backing out.

But some councilmembers, including Henderson, wants to deal with RFK stadium separately. She said six weeks isn't enough time to review the complex deal.

"We need the opportunity to do due diligence. And what I would say to the Commanders, if they're listening, is that I would say the vast majority of my colleagues have not said no," Henderson said, "And it is in your best interest that we get this right."

Last week, Prince George's County elected Aisha Braveboy in a special election for county executive. The county's former State's Attorney got behind the mic to discuss her top priorities, including the need to unify the county government. She said she’s in alignment with the council and has an excellent relationship with the school board. Another focus of her administration will be getting local government agencies on the same page, especially when it comes to telework policies.

"You know, it's very different from agency to agency, which I think creates a morale issue. It also creates a productivity issue," Braveboy said. "And I want people to be more oriented to come into the office to work collaboratively with their colleagues and also serve the public a little bit more efficiently."

Plus, Braveboy discussed the resignation of Prince George's County Schools Superintendent Millard House and her naming Shawn Joseph as the interim as a nationwide search gets under way.

Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her proposed $22 billion budget last week. Faced with a tough financial outlook, her spending proposal includes cuts to social safety net programs and some business-friendly tax incentives. There's also a billion dollars to help the Washington Commanders build a new football complex and redevelop the old RFK stadium site and a proposal to repeal a tipped minimum wage increase. Mayor Bowser joined the show to discuss, including how the city is moving away from relying on a federal workforce, and why she's betting big on sports and entertainment.

She noted that some 40,000 people in the District could experience a job change because of massive federal cuts, which means shifting the city's economy.

"If our Chief Financial Officer is right, we think it's up to us to bend the curve in terms of job growth," she said.

Mayor Bowser also discussed safety during World Pride, including the closure of Dupont Circle, historically the center of Pride celebrations.

"As we speak, we’re working on an alternative to that site," she said, noting that celebrations beyond one side, with plans for events across all eight wards.

Asked about ongoing preparations for Trump's military parade later this month, she said the event is now a national special security event, which means the federal government will take the lead on security, logistics, and will handle the upfront costs, similar to inauguration events.

She also discussed her proposal for a public-private partnership to build a new D.C. jail, which she says will help speed the construction of a new facility.

As Metro wrestles with a murky financial future, local leaders making up the DMV Moves task force are debating what a dedicated, predictable funding model might look like for the region's public transportation. Options on the table include a regional sales tax, higher vehicle registration fees, and increasing income taxes. Maryland State Delegate Marc Korman is a member of the 20-member task force and he joined the show to give his thoughts on the best approach. Plus, Korman weighed in on Maryland Governor Wes Moore's recent veto of a reparations bill.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released her long-awaited 2026 budget this week. She cited a tough economic forecast in slashing safety net programs and providing tax cuts and incentives to businesses in an effort to grow the city's economy. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma sat down with Kojo and Tom to break down what is - and isn't - in the Mayor's proposed budget. Plus, he provided the latest on Trump's military parade set to roll through D.C. streets June 14.

The D.C. Policy Center's Executive Director Yesim Sayin provided an analysis of the mayor's proposed budget. Mayor Bowser says the city needs to reduce spending and grow and diversify D.C.'s economy in the wake of drastic cuts to the federal government. Her budget includes a billion-dollar proposal to help build a new football complex on the old RFK stadium site and a repeal of the tipped minimum wage.

Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org