Good morning. Humid with rain and storm chances throughout today. The high temperature will be around 85. Rain likely overnight, with a low near 69. The Nationals host the Astros again tonight.Â
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I can’t stop listening to:
Yuuf, “Mesa Mesa.” Some very nice blissed-out world music from this London-based band, who play Pearl Street Warehouse tonight with Climb On (and if you dig that tune, check out this longer video).Â
Take Washingtonian Today with you! I keep ridiculously long playlists on Apple Music and on Spotify of this year’s music recommendations. Here are 2025’s songs (Apple, Spotify), too.
Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out:
Pound of 16: Belgium, a small country known for chocolate, frites, and political deadlock, thumped the US Men’s National Team in World Cup action last night, winning 4-1 in a game that saw the once feisty American side deliver a “sloppy, lax, unfocused” performance. (Athletic) A rare bright spot in the overwhelming loss: Another jaw-dropping free-kick goal by Malik Tillman. (Fox Sports/YouTube) President Trump confirmed yesterday that he phoned FIFA honcho Gianni Infantino to protest a red card awarded to US striker Folarin Balogun last week. (NYT) The clumsy intervention and resulting “controversy likely marks the end of a love affair between World Cup tourists and American culture.” (Axios)
Senate corner: Maine’s Democratic nominee for the US Senate, Graham Platner, is under pressure to leave his race against Susan Collins after a bombshell report that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2021, which he denies. (Politico) Platner is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.” (Axios) Here’s who may replace him on the ballot. (NYT) Meanwhile, the office of US Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky hasn’t issued an update on his health since last week. He was hospitalized, reportedly unconscious, in June. His continued absence “could make matters more difficult for Republicans to pass legislation this year.” (Washington Post)
Administration perambulation: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired missiles at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, a demonstration of the group’s power within the country as it negotiates a peace deal with the US. (WSJ) Vice President JD Vance threatened to defund the Smithsonian Institution if it did not force out National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet last year. The administration recently turned its attention to the National Museum of American History. (NYT) David Streever of Rochester, New York, sued the Department of Homeland Security after it sent agents to his house to warn him about an angry email he sent to former acting ICE chief Todd M. Lyons. The online activist Paigelynne Gonyea, also based in New York, received a visit after she ID’d in an Instagram post the ICE agent who reportedly fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis. (Washington Post) National Guard troops Trump sent to Memphis shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson over the weekend. His family is pushing for video of the incident to be released. (AP) The State Department has begun to issue passports sporting Trump’s likeness. (NYT)
Float off into the distance, by Daniella Byck:
My current mantra: maximum cooling, minimal exertion. To embody this philosophy, plop yourself in a tube near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and take a ride on nature’s lazy river. Outdoor adventure groups River Riders and River and Trail Outfitters run tubing trips ($33 to $44) on gentle sections of the Shenandoah River. (Whitewater options are also available.) Floats can last an hour to three hours, depending on the conditions, and it’s a great way to get outside and enjoy summer without overheating. I consider a leisurely float to be spiritually aligned with sitting on a porch rocking chair, and the best way to really lean into this energy is to rent a tube for your cooler or a buoyant one you can stock with refreshments.
Recently on Washingtonian dot com:
• How does Janeese Lewis George plan to handle Donald Trump? An interview with DC’s likely next mayor.
• Fifty years ago, hundreds of cyclists crossed the US to celebrate its bicentennial. Locals who made the trip remember it—and share some glorious photos.
• The Grace, a modern saloon, has opened in the Passenger’s old space.
• The Sports Junkies are celebrating their 30th anniversary. We asked them to pick some indelible DC sports moments.
• Metro lines were crazy on July 4. Here’s how people documented their crowded trips home.
Local news links:
• Brian J. Cole Jr., who’s accused of planting pipe bombs near Democratic and Republican Party headquarters on January 6, 2021, isn’t covered by Trump’s blanket pardon of people involved in the assault on the Capitol, a judge ruled. (AP)
• Roswell Encina, an area resident whose Metro ride amid the racist losers who demonstrated in DC on July 4 was the subject of viral photos, talks about his journey. (NBC4 Washington)
• The former podcaster and political commentator Jamie Weinstein bought a building in Chevy Chase DC. He’s building a commercial real estate business. (WBJ)
• Supporters of a foie gras ban in DC submitted signatures to get their initiative onto the ballot in November. (Martin Austermuhle/X)
• The Nats won a thriller last night. (Washington Post)
Tuesday’s event picks:
• Lizzo plays Wolf Trap alongside the National Symphony Orchestra.
• The musical “Beetlejuice” returns to the National Theatre.
• Lana Ferguson discusses her new book, “The Final Score,” at East City Bookshop.
See more picks for today and this week from Briana Thomas, who writes our Things to Do newsletter.
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
