On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Tom unpack a chaotic new chapter in the D.C. mayor’s race after a heated debate between the frontrunners — plus a surprising comeback bid by former council member Jack Evans.

They also dive into a growing clash between the Trump administration and local leaders over plans to remove a key bike lane near the National Mall, and what it signals about the future of home rule.

Later, they discuss renewed concerns about large youth gatherings across the city and the political fight over temporary curfews.

In the speed round: looming parking garages in the Commanders’ RFK stadium plans, Congress targeting D.C.’s traffic cameras, Robert Mueller’s legacy (and style), and why Mayor Bowser’s upcoming budget could reshape the campaign.

00:00 Introduction + Gridiron Dinner

04:09 Mayoral Debate Goes Off The Rails

07:30 Jack Evans Comeback Bid vs Phil Mendelson

09:53 Trump Admin Wants to Remove 15th St Bike Lane

19:04 Teen Takeovers and Youth Curfews

23:19 Speed Round: RFK Stadium's Big Parking Garages

26:27 Speed Round: Congress Targets D.C. Traffic Cameras

28:52 Speed Round: Robert Mueller, D.C. Style Icon

30:30 Speed Round: Bowser’s Budget and April 1 Showdown

The 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.