Local Washington officials brace for four years of playing defense against Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump's first stint in the White House proved to be a chaotic ride for the District of Columbia.

Now with Trump set to return to power — backed by a Republican-controlled Congress and the momentum of a sweeping electoral win — local officials in the nation's capital are trying to sound conciliatory while preparing for the worst.

“We have been discussing and planning for many months in the case that the District has to defend itself and its values,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. Her office had “communicated with (Trump's) team and indicated we would like to speak,” she said on Nov. 12, but hadn't heard back.

Bowser downplayed the myriad differences between the two sides and emphasized a search for common ground. But those commonalities may be hard to come by, given the open mutual animosity that has defined Trump's relationship with the District.