Trump’s attack on ‘filth and decay’ in nation’s capital just the latest in his personal feud with DC

By ASHRAF KHALIL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington has never been a particularly friendly place for Donald Trump. And after pleading not guilty to federal charges he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Trump was quick to show the feeling was mutual. Trump told reporters he was “very sad” to see “the filth and the decay and all of the broken buildings” during his drive through the nation’s capital to the federal courthouse. Washington defenders feel Trump has always had a personal issue with the district. Heavily Democratic Washington is generally cool to Republican presidents but was distinctly hostile to the Trump administration. Trump’s team argues he can’t receive a fair trial in Washington.