Damian Galvan and Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA 31) sit down with Oye Owolewa, the Shadow Representative of Washington D.C., for a conversation on the constitutional crisis facing the nation’s capital, Trump’s militarization of D.C., and why D.C. residents continue to face “taxation without representation.”
Owolewa breaks down how D.C.’s lack of statehood affects daily life; from policing and the National Guard to housing, immigration, and racial justice. He warns against over-policing, Trump’s use of D.C. as a political pawn, and argues that real safety comes from investing in communities.
Sharing his journey from pharmacist to Shadow Representative, Owolewa recalls winning his first race by just one vote and urges young people to “take that jump,” step into leadership, and help complete America’s democratic mission.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:42 – What It Means to Be a Shadow Representative
02:17 – Why D.C. Faces a Constitutional Crisis
04:22 – Trump’s Militarization of Washington D.C.
07:01 – The Truth About Crime in D.C.
09:59 – How Baltimore Reduced Crime Without Over-Policing
11:50 – ICE, Collateral Arrests, and Targeting Immigrants
17:45 – The Tragic Impact of ICE Raids in California
21:11 – Trump’s Immigration Policies as “Legislative Violence”
23:50 – Why D.C. Needs Statehood Now
28:21 – D.C.’s Fight Against Taxation Without Representation
30:23 – What D.C. Residents Really Want From Statehood
32:02 – Owolewa’s Role: Community Programs and Expungement Clinics
34:56 – Why Real Safety Comes From Opportunity, Not Policing
37:00 – Trump’s Dangerous Rhetoric on Homelessness in L.A.
40:16 – Racial Motivations Behind Trump’s Policies
43:41 – National Guard, Policing, and Federal Overreach in D.C.
46:09 – D.C.’s Overlapping Police Forces Explained
48:56 – Community Organizing Against Militarization
51:00 – The Removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza
53:03 – Threats to Home Rule and D.C.’s Future
54:46 – Owolewa’s Background: Pharmacist to Politician
58:10 – Vaccines and Science vs. Source: Trust Me Bro
1:00:24 – Trump’s Cabinet Choices: RFK Jr. to… Dr. Oz?
1:02:04 – Climate, Green Goals, and Protecting Future Generations
1:03:18 – Owolewa’s Advice to the Next Generation
1:06:59 – Winning His First Race by Just One Vote
1:08:57 – Learning from Obama’s Early Losses
1:09:41 – Final Thoughts
Thank you for tuning into the ‘Who Dem?’ Podcast! We bring on Democratic leaders, candidates, personalities, and more with a goal of truly getting to know the person beyond politics. Hosted by Damian Galvan and Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA 31).
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