In Washington’s Halloween Displays, the Scariest Thing for Democrats Is Still Trump

In some of Washington’s deeply Democratic neighborhoods, Halloween has long carried a political edge — and this year is no exception.

Nine months into Republican President Donald Trump’s second term, some residents are channeling their frustration over budget cuts, layoffs, and rule-bending policies into pointed front-yard displays. This year’s Halloween also coincides with one of the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history.

Near the U.S. Capitol, 79-year-old Donna Breslin has transformed her front lawn into a “graveyard for democracy.” Sixteen hand-painted tombstones — bought on Amazon and decorated by Breslin — bear names like “USAID” and “Health and Science Research,” marking, as she puts it, “the institutions Trump has buried.”

The display references deep cuts to foreign aid and public health programs, part of the administration’s broader push to shrink the federal bureaucracy.

Over two days, Reuters reporters toured two Washington neighborhoods — Georgetown and Capitol Hill — known for politically themed Halloween decor. They found no pro-Trump or anti-Democrat displays.

The Washington metropolitan area has been among the hardest hit by Trump’s spending cuts and shutdowns, with thousands of federal workers furloughed and both parties trading blame. Nearly 90% of the city’s voters are registered Democrats.

Trump has defended the reductions, calling them necessary to trim a bloated, inefficient workforce. He rejects accusations that his presidency undermines democratic norms, insisting he’s simply delivering on campaign promises.

A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, dismissed the Halloween displays as “performative virtue signaling.” The White House’s own social media joined in the Halloween sparring, posting costume images of Democratic leaders — alongside a photo of Trump labeled “Not included — crown.”

The jab appeared to mock recent “No Kings” protests across the country, where thousands marched against what they see as authoritarian tendencies under Trump.

Another frequent Halloween target this year: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has downsized staff at the Department of Health and Human Services while promoting false claims about childhood vaccines.

In affluent, liberal Northwest Washington, where Kennedy lives, several yards feature skeletons and vaccine-themed messages. One towering 10-foot skeleton holds a sign reading, “Hi, I’m Vally! Vaccines save lives — trust me, I know!”

Critics have accused Kennedy of restricting access to COVID-19 shots and weakening vaccine oversight. In response, an HHS spokesperson said, “Secretary Kennedy is not anti-vaccine — he’s pro-safety, transparency, and accountability. His long-standing advocacy ensures that vaccines meet the highest standards of science and safety.”

Just a block away, another Georgetown yard shows a skeleton draped over a fence, stethoscope around its neck, beside a sign that reads, “Secretary of Sick.”

Nearby resident Christine Payne, 66, placed a child-sized skeleton in her window with a note reading, “I wish I’d gotten my vaccine.” Payne, who disagrees with Kennedy’s policies but calls him a “good neighbor,” said she feels it’s important to speak out.

“I think we all need to,” she said. “Especially here in Washington — everything feels political these days.”