A Washington, D.C., resident has expressed outrage over Mayor Muriel Bowser's frequent trips using taxpayer dollars, claiming that they demonstrate her neglect of the city's residents and businesses.
Washington, D.C. resident Adam Kelinsky has denounced Mayor Muriel Bowser for her luxurious trips covered by taxpayers, which he finds particularly infuriating given the city's neglect under her leadership.
Kelinsky, who was forced to close his restaurant in 2023 due to persistent crime, was among the residents who expressed frustration over Bowser's weekend trip to Las Vegas for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) at Wynn Las Vegas, accompanied by 14 elected officials and staff members.
"When you think about how neglectful she's been to D.C. and the D.C. residents – she hasn't tackled any of the stuff she set out to do – and the fact that she's going off on these wonderful boondoggles, spending taxpayer dollars to go on these lavish trips with folks that clearly haven't delivered for us, is frustrating. It's infuriating," Kelinsky told "Fox & Friends First."
Bowser's trip followed her controversial attendance at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia last month, which also drew criticism for its lack of transparency and the perception that she was prioritizing personal enjoyment over the city's needs.
Kelinsky pointed out that local businesses like his own have long been overlooked by the Bowser administration, despite struggling with crime and other challenges.
"We had over five break-ins in a five-month period, and it just became untenable to operate," Kelinsky said, adding that the city offered no support and left his business completely abandoned.
Crime has been on the rise in D.C., with robberies up 67% and overall violent crime up 39% in 2023, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. In response, the city council passed the Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024, which was signed into law by Bowser on March 11.
Kelinsky believes that the city needs tough-on-crime leadership to address the issue. "We need to actually go after the culprits that are doing these things. We need to lock them up and we need to hold them," he said. "We need tactical policing of the streets, hard on crime, focused on the key issues that are really affecting us all every day."
Kelinsky criticized Bowser for focusing on lavish trips while ignoring the needs of D.C. businesses. "She's notorious for these lavish trips going all over the place, spending dollars that are not hers," he said. "She's allegedly bringing back businesses to D.C.. Well, what about the businesses in D.C.? Let's focus on those that have stood by you all these years that you've abandoned."
Other D.C. residents have also expressed concerns over Bowser's priorities. One resident, identified only as Alex, questioned her leadership in light of her frequent absences. "What do you do when you don't have a leader that cares about you anymore?" he asked.
