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 Podcast

00:37 Growing Up in Connecticut + Early Influences

02:41 The “Saltine Crackers” School Story

05:11 The “Believe in Magic” Sign + Ikigai Philosophy

07:31 Coming to DC, Georgetown Law, and Working for Karl Racine

11:32 Why Pinto Ran for DC Council

15:02 Why Her Campaign Color Is Pink

17:10 Why She’s Running for Congress

17:54 Her Case Against Robert White

20:44 Her Secure DC Act + Reducing Crime

22:50 How Will She Represent Black Washingtonians?

29:36 How a Non-Voting Delegate Builds Influence in Congress

33:24 Negotiating With — or Confronting — Republicans

41:45 Campaign Fundraising and Momentum

43:03 What She’d Say to Donald Trump

48:40 Future of Downtown Development + Federal Buildings

52:07 The Height Act and Building More Housing

54:16 Gambling and Casinos

56:58 Waymo and Futuristic Tech

59:21 Closing Remarks

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.