WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tensions rose sharply on Wednesday night in Northwest D.C. as federal police set up a checkpoint in the busy 2100 block of 14th Street, NW, directly across from the popular café Tatte and outdoor retailer Backcountry.
Checkpoint Draws Immediate Crowd
According to witnesses, officers began stopping pedestrians and vehicles around 9:10 p.m. near the intersection of 14th and W Street, NW. By 9:40 p.m., a crowd of onlookers had gathered, many chanting in frustration at the heightened law enforcement presence.
A local resident, Nathaniel, shared a photo of the scene, describing the moment as both intense and unsettling.
“Police stopping people on 14th Street in Northwest DC as a crowd of onlookers chant in opposition,” he said.
Anger Over Federal Presence
The sudden checkpoint has sparked anger among locals, who expressed disbelief at seeing such a strong show of force in a commercial corridor known more for its nightlife, restaurants, and shopping than for security crackdowns…