In the U.S. capital, the walls have a voice. Since President Donald Trump placed the police under federal control and activated the National Guard as part of his anti-crime campaign, Washingtonians have been using posters, stickers and graffiti to demonstrate a growing rejection of the operation.
“At such a hard time for our city, it’s almost comforting that you still see the true spirit of the District (of Columbia). It’s these small acts of rebellion that speak volumes,” Trina, a retired teacher, tells EFE.
“A grand gesture for democracy.”
It only takes a minimum of attention to walls, escalators, poles and road signs to notice the colorful messages, ranging from a blunt FDT (Fuck Donald Trump) and “Free DC” displayed on a balcony, to a Baksy-style sign in homage to the “Sandwich Boy” who confronted federal patrol cars with bread in hand.
The poster, which can be seen in popular neighborhoods such as Noma, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle, plays on the street artist’s iconic “Flower Thrower,” although in this case the ‘projectile’ is a sandwich.
The play reflects the capital’s resistance through Sean Charles Dunn, a 37-year-old former Justice Department official who faces a felony for confronting border agents – who have increased the number of arrests in Washington in step with Trump’s militarization of the city – by shouting “fascists.”
Dunn was captured in a now viral video as he threw a sandwich that bounced off the chest of one of the troops, earning the ire of the Administration and the praise of much of the U.S. capital.
“In the midst of a hostile takeover by the Federal Government, showing rebellion with the image of a Subway sandwich is better than nothing,” explained Deshonde, a Noma resident, pointing to the posters that occupy the walls of the popular Union Market restaurant and bar area.
Washington wasted no time in adopting this symbol of rebellion.
At a demonstration against the federal operation, banners reading “Don’t mess with D.C. or you earn a sandwich” and “A little sandwich for the man…a big gesture for democracy” could be read.
Trump vs. “crime wave” in Washington
Protesters gather in Washington, D.C., to demand an end to increased federal presence amid President Trump’s crime crackdown. pic.twitter.com/9NPkLvfYEj
– Fox News (@FoxNews) August 24, 2025
The District of Columbia will enter its second week Monday since President Donald Trump took control of the Metropolitan Police, deployed hundreds of federal agents and activated about 800 National Guard troops, citing a clause in the Home Rule Act that has governed Washington’s self-government since 1973.
The Republican leader insists that his “campaign to banish crime” is due to the “crime wave” that, he assures, affects the city, where more than 600 arrests have been made, including arrests of undocumented immigrants, according to the White House.
Local authorities, who have sued the Trump Administration, say instead that violent crime is down 26% in the first half of 2025 versus the same period last year.
“Fascists out of D.C.”
“They think they could takeover our city, but whose streets diverse look like?”
Beautiful vibe & energy tonite in DC #FreeDC pic.twitter.com/w40kIlQTFQQ
– #StopCopCity (@ChuckModi1). August 24, 2025
About eight in 10 Washington residents oppose the federal takeover of D.C. Police and National Guard patrols, according to a poll by The Washington Post and George Mason University in Virginia.
The city is no stranger to artistic activism. Several ephemeral installations mocking the president have popped up since Trump’s return, including a striking bronze sculpture in the shape of a writing desk with an excrement on top to commemorate the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol.
“Let’s keep DC free of fascists,” “Hands off D.C.,” “Trump must go now,” “Why are Republicans so submissive in front of Trump?” or “Trump is in the files,” in reference to evidence in the controversial Epstein child molester case, are among the messages read on dozens of stickers and posters scattered throughout the city, home to just over 700,000 people.
Graffiti with profanity and denunciations against members of Trump’s Cabinet are also mixed with instructions on how to act in an encounter with immigration agents and a phrase in Spanish that assures, “Todos tenemos derechos, no importa el estatus” (We all have rights, no matter the status).
No te metas con D.C. o te ganas un sándwich
Pancartas en Washington
