Brooke Pinto on Running for Congress, Trump, and D.C.'s Future

In a wide-ranging interview, D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto shares her journey from childhood in Connecticut to her political career, why she wants to represent D.C. in Congress, and how she would deal with President Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill.Pinto is running to succeed retiring Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton in a crowded race that includes her council colleague Robert White. She explains what sets her apart — pointing to her public safety record, her role passing the Secure DC crime bill, and her strategy for building influence in Congress despite the delegate’s lack of a vote.Cuneyt and Tom cover a lot of ground, from crime trends and ICE in D.C. to the politics of the delegate race and the challenge of negotiating with a Republican-controlled Congress.They also dive into the future of the city: the Height Act, the expansion of gambling parlors in D.C., the future of Waymo, the redevelopment of federal buildings downtown, and what Pinto would tell Trump ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.This is part of Dream City’s interview series with candidates shaping the future of Washington.00:00 Introduction to the Dream City Podcast00:37 Growing Up in Connecticut + Early Influences02:41 The “Saltine Crackers” School Story05:11 The “Believe in Magic” Sign + Ikigai Philosophy07:31 Coming to DC, Georgetown Law, and Working for Karl Racine11:32 Why Pinto Ran for DC Council15:02 Why Her Campaign Color Is Pink17:10 Why She’s Running for Congress17:54 Her Case Against Robert White20:44 Her Secure DC Act + Reducing Crime22:50 How Will She Represent Black Washingtonians?29:36 How a Non-Voting Delegate Builds Influence in Congress33:24 Negotiating With — or Confronting — Republicans41:45 Campaign Fundraising and Momentum43:03 What She’d Say to Donald Trump48:40 Future of Downtown Development + Federal Buildings52:07 The Height Act and Building More Housing54:16 Gambling and Casinos56:58 Waymo and Futuristic Tech59:21 Closing RemarksThe Dream City Podcast is supported by launch partner SpotlightDC: Capital City Fund for Investigative Journalism.The Dream City Podcast will hold the powerful accountable and take you inside D.C.’s business and political worlds. Along the way: Revelatory conversations with city officials, business leaders, and the best-sourced journalists in town.The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.