"A concentration camp, in its most basic definition, is a place where a targeted civilian population, not necessarily accused of a crime, is detained and at least some of their basic rights are suspended," writes @jwashing.bsky.social. "That’s precisely what’s happening in the United States today."
Don’t call them ICE detention centers. Call them camps | John Washington
I’ve spent a decade reporting on immigration enforcement. The word ‘camp’ best captures the political function of these facilities
theguardian.com
![Earlier today, former reality TV show host and current U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro held a press conference about the DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force and their intent to increase enforcement and prosecutions in DC in the months ahead, as well as escalate the military occupation of DC to 5,000 troops. During the press conference, Pirro announced that she will begin prosecuting DC parents if they “permit or by insufficient control allow a minor to violate a curfew.”
In response, Free DC issued the following statement:
“This regime is run by lying, stealing, murdering pedophiles and their enablers. It’s absurd they think they have any moral authority to talk about ‘law and order’ or to think they know what’s best for our children. If Jeanine Pirro wants to reduce crime, start with the criminal in the White House.
“This regime is trying to drag our entire country back to racist Jim Crow-era curfews, voter suppression, and patrols. Just like we’ve seen all over the country with ICE, their enforcement isn’t justice — it’s racialized detention, disappearances, and destruction that harken back to the terror and oppression of some of the darkest times of American history.
“The people of DC don’t want anything from this corrupt and lawless regime. We want them to stay the hell away from our children, stay out of our communities, and quit their jobs.”
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Background Context
The U.S. Attorney's Office for DC under Jeanine Pirro has experienced an unusually low conviction rate. In its first eight criminal trials of 2026, the office has won only half of them. This performance is significantly below the typical ~90% conviction rate for federal prosecutors, with reports of jury skepticism and high dismissal rates. [CNN]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6tbww5kszcrorxzqdmuq7hq7/bafkreidxwdnk7ffloa6pnfeuthef7c42axpuqmflyhguhcyb3gxsk67tdu)
![A systematic review of research literature on juvenile curfew programs published in 2016 by the Campbell Collaboration found that “juvenile curfews are ineffective at reducing crime and victimization. The average effect on juvenile crime during curfew hours was slightly positive — that is a slight increase in crime — and close to zero for crime during all hours. Similarly, juvenile victimization also appeared unaffected by the imposition of a curfew ordinance.” [Marshall Project]
In November 2025 a federal judge ruled that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in DC was illegal, concluding the president lacks authority to send in troops “for the deterrence of crime.” The case is currently still ongoing. [Politico]
Police forces in Trump’s “DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force” caused the deaths of three people in four days in November. In February, U.S. Marshals shot Julian Bailey, the fourth person in DC forces in this Task Force have murdered. [NBC-4]
Free DC is the renewed campaign to protect DC Home Rule and win lasting dignity for the people of the District of Columbia. Learn more and get involved at FreeDCproject.org.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6tbww5kszcrorxzqdmuq7hq7/bafkreidtp5d5jdws43vdcbupprcwij35j7xkgcskaz2t4ontulqkc36ade)
