Michael Schaffer
@michaelschaffer
Capital City columnizer, @POLITICOmag. Co-host, @citycast_dc. Formerly: Editor of @washingtonian & @wcp. D.C. Native. Admirer of schemes.
"In the aftermath of Biden’s disastrous decision to run again, it sure looks like the incentive structure for keeping mum has shifted." Really good column by @michaelschaffer: politico.com/news/magazine/…
Column: The era of political staff covering up for impaired bosses might be coming to an end. "In the aftermath of Biden’s disastrous decision to run again, it sure looks like the incentive structure for keeping mum has shifted," writes @michaelschaffer. politico.com/news/magazine/…
Just about the only group I could find who are happy about Trump's demand to bring back "Redskins": The activists who want to nix the plan to build them a stadium. politi.co/46WdW7g
New DC sales pitch as Trump era dissuades visitors: We're nice and welcoming! Really! politi.co/453YSTG
It appears President Trump may be using an obscure entity known as the Capital Planning Commission to investigate malfeasance by Jerome Powell at the FED in order to pressure him to step down. politico.com/news/magazine/…
What does the wonky panel that oversees Washington's urban planning have to do with Trump's fight against Jerome Powell? It's a wild story. politi.co/3GujqeN
"The Hill is like living in a small town,” Wilson said. “And you know all these people, and you’re around them all the time. Are you going to be that person in that small town that you’re in?” politico.com/news/magazine/…
Glad @michaelschaffer wrote this. An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her? politi.co/4eHIHPq via @politico
I wrote about a very 2025 DC dillemma: An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her? politi.co/4eHIHPq
My riff tonight: America's mighty political dynasties are crumbling in the age of political disruption Clinton, Bush, Cheney, Kennedy, Daley, Casey, Murphy, Pryor, Laxalt, Landrieu, Graham, Carter, Pryor and more And now Cuomo politico.com/news/magazine/…
A sad day for @washingtonpost readers as the standalone Metro section in print is eliminated and folded behind Style. As a lifelong Washingtonian and veteran of the Metro staff, I always admired the Post's commitment to covering Washington as a community not just a capital.
The last time DC had a military parade, it was my HS graduation. This time, my kid just graduated. The similarities end there — and the gap says a ton about why this might be riskier for Trump than it seems politi.co/43ZYmEq
I wrote about the decision to shut down Dupont Circle ahead of Pride — a sign of changing life in Trump-era DC (and the absurdity of Uncle Sam owning so much local land) politi.co/4kEJuTd
“It’s easy to AI-render a Dick Van Dyke sculpture... So much easier than actually getting it done.” politi.co/43RUKpg via @politico
Ooof. Actual sculptors say Trump's $34 million "Gaden of American heroes" will actually be a collection of Chinese mannequins. "Totally unworkable" by USA 250th — unless it is 3D-printed schlock. politi.co/43RUKpg
Somehow I'm not familiar with this neighborhood washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/…
Are You a Political Staffer? Is Your Boss Losing It? It’s Time to Speak Up politico.com/news/magazine/… (Leak to @michaelschaffer!)
