AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 11, 2026
Satirical Trump Statue Unveiled on the National Mall
The artist collective Secret Handshake has installed their latest provocative piece, "The Foot Soldier," on the National Mall. The statue, debuting just ahead of Veterans Day, depicts former President Donald Trump as a fatigued convicted felon seated and massaging his alleged bone spurs—an allusion to his avoidance of the draft. Gilded in gold, the base is inscribed: “We honor the service and sacrifice of our Commander in Chief, Donald J. Trump. He’s a soldier in spirit, who marched to the front lines of dodging the draft, armed with a perfect diagnosis of bone spurs.” The text concludes with a Trump quotation: “I can be very military.” The piece blends humor and political commentary, once again drawing public attention to Secret Handshake's work.
Questions Over Increased Military Presence in Washington, D.C.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) disclosed that he was not briefed about plans by the Trump administration to escalate military presence in Washington, D.C. Carroll stated that he learned of these plans only after receiving a news alert on his phone. Following thousands of National Guard deployments, the Pentagon anticipates supplementing security with boats, 60 marked police cars, and armored military vehicles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that this expansion would focus on gang and drug enforcement activities. The D.C. Council has called upon Congressional Democrats to increase oversight of federal law enforcement agencies when the new session begins in January.
This move prompted concern from experts such as University of D.C. professor Emily Cassometus, who emphasized, “There shouldn’t be war equipment on the streets of the District or any place in the United States of America.” The lack of communication with city police authorities and a significant boost in military hardware have sparked debates around transparency and appropriate federal intervention in local law enforcement.
Republican Setbacks and House Speaker’s Critique of Voters
Outgoing House Speaker Mike Johnson offered blunt criticism of voters in the aftermath of the recent midterm elections, asserting they made the “wrong choice.” While Democrats required a net gain of only three seats to gain control of the House, they captured 44 seats. In the Senate, Democrats also secured wins in states traditionally considered Republican strongholds. Johnson’s remarks highlight ongoing partisan tensions as Republicans come to terms with significant losses in Congress.
Political Shakeup in the Trump Administration
The Trump administration is facing rapid turnover within its inner circle. On Friday, Susie Wiles was replaced as White House Chief of Staff by Stephen Miller. Richard Walters, considered one of Wiles’ closest political allies, announced his departure. Additionally, resignations swept through the Department of Justice, with civil rights division head Harmeet Dhillon, civil division head Brett Shumate, national security division head John Eisenberg, and South Florida’s top prosecutor Jason Reding Quiñones all stepping down. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly on “resignation watch.” Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky took steps to introduce impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Hegseth.
Trump’s Wealth Hit by Crypto and Market Downturn
The fortunes of Trump-linked businesses took a dramatic downturn in the wake of the midterm results. The $TRUMP meme coin plummeted from a high of $74 to approximately $1.23. Similarly, the World Liberty Financial token saw its value drop to 4.6 cents. Shares in Trump Media & Technology Group fell to their lowest point yet, signaling a broader market loss coinciding with new political realities. For two years, the Trump family has amassed wealth through cryptocurrencies; recent developments, however, suggest a shift in their financial trajectory.
The Needle Index: +3 on the Day
The day’s Needle rating, a local quality-of-life index, recorded a net score of +3—reflecting a day of significant political, social, and economic movement in Washington, D.C.
Source: washingtoncitypaper.com.
