It’s been a tumultuous week in the nation’s capital and beyond, with President Donald Trump once again at the center of controversy—this time over his administration’s handling of crime, protest, and public image. The events unfolded against a backdrop of mounting political tension, with incidents in both Washington, D.C., and New York City highlighting the sharp divides and heated rhetoric that have come to define this moment in American life.
On the evening of September 7, 2025, Trump made a high-profile appearance at the US Open men’s finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The crowd’s reaction was swift and unmistakable—a chorus of boos, punctuated by some scattered applause, rang out as the former president was introduced. According to AP and The Guardian, the U.S. Tennis Association had even requested that broadcasters avoid showing negative crowd reactions, a move that drew criticism for its apparent attempt to manage the public’s perception of Trump’s popularity. The incident underscored the deeply polarized feelings that Trump continues to evoke, even in arenas far removed from the political stage.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the city’s long-standing White House Peace Vigil—an enduring symbol of nonviolent protest—faced its own test. Trump ordered the removal of the vigil, breaking with decades of tradition. Yet, in a testament to the dedication of its supporters, volunteers quickly reassembled the protest, refusing to let it be silenced. As reported by NBC Washington and The Washington Post, the episode was a vivid reminder of the ongoing struggle between dissent and authority in the heart of the nation’s capital.
But perhaps the week’s most telling episode began in an unlikely place: a small convenience store in the Hechinger Mall along Benning Road NE. Tumika Alston, the co-owner of Phone Repair Tech, was reeling after a group of teenagers broke into her shop, knocked over shelves, and made off with thousands of dollars in merchandise. In the aftermath, Alston did what many would—she sought help and spoke out about her ordeal in a local TV interview. According to The Washington Post, Alston even called out to Trump directly, saying, “send the boys to Benning Road.”
What happened next, however, took her by surprise. Instead of police officers or city officials, Alston received a phone call from the White House. The administration dispatched a camera crew to her store, not to investigate the crime or offer direct assistance, but to film an interview. The footage was later included in a video posted to the White House’s social media accounts—a move Alston now describes as manipulative. “I feel like they’ve used me to put that story out there just for the narrative, to use it for an excuse, for more troops to be out there harassing people,” Alston told The Washington Post. “I want them to take that video down. I really do.”
The episode has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and civil rights advocates, who see it as a troubling example of propaganda and political exploitation. The White House’s decision to showcase Alston’s story in support of its law-and-order message, rather than addressing her immediate needs, has left many questioning the administration’s priorities. For Alston, the experience was not just a missed opportunity for real help, but a stark reminder of how quickly personal tragedy can be co-opted for political ends.
That theme of politicizing public safety played out on a larger stage as well. Over the weekend prior to September 8, Trump continued to threaten the deployment of National Guard troops to cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and other large, Democrat-led urban centers. In a particularly provocative social media post, Trump shared a parody of Apocalypse Now alongside the message, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” As reported by AP and The Guardian, the rhetoric alarmed many, not least because the four large U.S. cities with the highest murder rates last year—Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri; and Memphis, Tennessee—are all run by Republicans.
This contradiction has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that Trump’s focus on Democrat-led cities is less about public safety and more about scoring political points. By spotlighting violence in certain urban areas while ignoring similar or worse statistics elsewhere, they say, the administration risks deepening divisions and undermining trust in national leadership. The use of inflammatory language—such as dubbing the Justice Department the “Department of WAR”—has only heightened concerns about the potential for escalation and conflict.
Supporters of the president, on the other hand, insist that decisive action is needed to address rising crime and restore order. They argue that Trump’s willingness to intervene in troubled cities demonstrates a commitment to public safety that is lacking among local officials. For them, the criticism of the administration’s tactics is little more than partisan posturing, designed to distract from the real issues facing American communities.
The debate over crime and policing is nothing new, but the events of this past week have given it fresh urgency. The robbery at Tumika Alston’s store, the removal and swift return of the Peace Vigil, and the spectacle at the US Open all point to a nation wrestling with questions of justice, accountability, and the proper role of government. Each incident, in its own way, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle to define what kind of country the United States wants to be.
For Alston, the experience has left her feeling used and unheard. Her call for help was met not with support, but with a camera and a script. For the volunteers at the Peace Vigil, the challenge was clear: stand firm in the face of official opposition, and refuse to let a tradition of protest be erased. And for the crowds at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the message was unmistakable—whether in cheers or jeers, the American public is not afraid to make its voice heard.
As the nation moves forward, these stories serve as a reminder that the battle for hearts and minds is fought not just in the halls of power, but in the streets, stores, and stadiums where ordinary people live their lives. The choices made by leaders—and the ways those choices are received by the public—will shape the country’s future in ways large and small. For now, the needle of public opinion continues to swing, reflecting a country as divided as ever, but also as determined as ever to speak its truth, one story at a time.