January
As wildfires ravaged Southern California and former President Joe Biden wrapped his last few weeks in office, the beginning of 2025 came with a lot of questions for the future of the District and nation.
President Biden Signs RFK Bill
Traversing the District’s first snow day of the year and in his final weeks in office, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) made her way to the White House on Monday, Jan. 6, to watch President Joe Biden– in his final weeks in office— officially sign the Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act. While the mayor was still negotiating the team’s return to the District, the decision offered optimism for the future of the RFK campus.
Trump Inauguration Sparks Concerns Locally and Nationwide
Local and nationally renowned activists took to places around the nation’s capital to speak out against the inauguration of President Donald Trump (R), who was sworn into office Monday, Jan. 20, the day also honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.
On the holiday celebrating the freedom fighter’s life, Trump outlined his America First agenda, which included measures to eliminate all federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming, work to erase Black history and narratives, and efforts to take away civil rights from LGBTQ+ Americans and other marginalized groups.
In addition, the president pardoned the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers involved in the death of Karon Hylton Brown, a move that would spark activists and family members of the fallen alike to demand answers from the president, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Council and MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith throughout much of the year.
Nation Remembers 67 Killed in Mid-Air Collision Near DCA
The moments, hours and days after the deadly mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Jan. 29 at 9 p.m., leaders and people around the District and nation worked to remember the 67 people who were killed as well as investigate how it happened and prevent it from happening again.
After the incident, Howard University (HU) revealed that among those on the flight from Wichita, Kansas, to D.C. was civil rights lawyer Kiah Duggins, who spent time working in the District and was set to begin a new chapter as a professor at HU’s School of Law this fall.
In addition, there were 14 skaters returning home from a national development camp in Wichita, including six members of the Skating Club of Boston—two teenage athletes, their mothers, and two coaches.
After the devastating incident, President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held briefings blaming former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies– initiatives that have been in place in the federal government since at least the 1960s after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
February
February was a time of major transition for the District, navigating life after the expulsion of a D.C. Council member and the start of President Donald Trump’s second term.
D.C. Council Unanimously Votes to Expel Trayon White
A dozen D.C. Council members — all part of an ad-hoc committee formed in the aftermath of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White’s federal bribery charge — voted unanimously to expel him from the legislative body on Feb. 4.
The decision came after weeks of White supporters and the Ward 8 council member working to prevent the loss of a seat that he won in his second successful reelection bid, even with a looming indictment.
Now back on the Council after winning a special election in July, White’s trial is scheduled in March 2026.
Washingtonians Push Back Against DOGE and Trump Administration
Not even a month in office, President Donald Trump quickly began making changes such as the implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the direction of Elon Musk, and plans to “beautify” the District.
DOGE cuts and policies conceptualized by Trump and Musk led to thousands of federal government furloughs and extreme changes for employees.
By mid-February, data from the U.S. Labor Department revealed that 4,000 federal government employees filed for unemployment benefits since Trump took office, with a 36% increase in claims within the first week of the month.
As the federal government worked to make changes, Trump and Republican leaders became focused on efforts to repeal D.C.’s home rule, particularly with the introduction of the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act (BOWSER) Act— legislation matching the last name of the District mayor. In addition, Trump began preparing an executive order directing prosecutors to seek harsher penalties for local crimes, clear homeless encampments, and remove graffiti, aligning with his campaign rhetoric of promising to “restore” the nation’s capital. Activists began expressing concern for many of the District’s unhoused population and marginalized communities.
During this time, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was reticent in her comments about the president, but confirmed that she spoke with Trump administration officials about the executive order and affirmed her desire for support in gun crime prosecution.
Further, Trump terminated the Kennedy Center board of trustees and appointed himself chairman in early February. After doing so, several artists and affiliates left the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, including producer Shondra Rhimes, who resigned from her position as Kennedy Center board treasurer, while Issa Rae cancelled her sold-out show at the space. Alfred Street Baptist Church also withdrew support from the performing arts institution.
March
A month marked by trial and resilience, March saw Republican leaders pressure District Mayor Muriel Bowser to remove the world-renowned Black Lives Matter Plaza amid a continuing resolution fight, while people gathered at multiple celebrations to honor 198 years of the Black Press.
Trump Orders Removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza Amid Continuing Resolution Fight
As District leaders fought Congress about a continuing resolution forcing more than $1 billion in local budget cuts and threatening the D.C. government, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the dismantling of Black Lives Matter Plaza.
The mayor’s move came after: Congressman Andy Ogles (R-Tenn. Dist. 5) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduction of the BOWSER Act to repeal District home rule; a Trump executive order compelling the removal of homeless communities from federal land; and legislation by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia-5th Dist.) renaming Black Lives Matter Plaza to Liberty Plaza, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
After its official launch in June 2020, during the heart of the Black Lives Matter Movement and COVID-19 pandemic, demolition crews started removing the world-famous street mural located along a stretch of 16th Street in Northwest between I Street and L Street on Monday, March 10.
On the following day, Congress passed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act, 2025 and passed in the Senate on March 14. President Donald Trump then signed the continuing resolution bill on March 15, primarily setting funds for the District at FY2024 levels.
However, the act required the District government to allocate local funds in its FY2025 at levels budgeted for FY2024 for the remainder of the fiscal year, causing major concern about District spending, resources, initiatives and future projects.
Black Press Fetes 198 Years, Washington Informer Celebrates 60 Years
March is always a special time for the African American-owned publications throughout the nation, as the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) hosts Black Press Week. However, this Black Press Week (March 13-16) was unique as it not only marked 198 years, but included special programming and concluded with an inaugural event that also honored six decades of The Washington Informer.
Publishers, journalists, media and advertising specialists, and local leaders gathered at Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library on the campus of Howard University March 13 for Black Press Day. The event emphasized the importance of speaking truth to power and offered calls to action in the age of federal and corporate efforts to reverse diversity, equity (DEI) and inclusion programming.
Then, on March 16, The Washington Informer, AFRO-American Newspapers, Metropolitan A.M.E. and Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) collaborated for first-ever Black Press Sunday. Held at Metropolitan A.M.E., the event honored the establishment of the Black Press (March 16, 1827), and The Washington Informer, which marked 60 years of publishing on October 16, 1964.
Less than two weeks later, The Washington Informer’s 60th Anniversary Legacy Gala celebrated six decades of the Black-owned news outlet and the unequivocal contributions of District families and businesses to D.C.’s history and vibrant culture.
April
April was eventful in the DMV area. The District’s long-awaited hospital opened East of the Anacostia River; leaders locally and nationwide fought for the return of a Maryland father deported to El Salvador; the Rev. Graylan Hagler launched a local Target protest in solidarity with the national boycott against the corporation; and the Commanders announced a return to RFK campus.
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health Opens
After years of anticipation and work, several dozen D.C. leaders and residents converged on April 10 on the grounds of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health— located at St. Elizabeths East Campus— in celebration of the full-service hospital’s opening.
Days later, the hospital officially opened with 136 beds that can expand to 184, trauma care, and a 54-bay emergency department. The medical center also has a six-bed well-baby nursery and Level II NICU, five operating rooms that can expand to seven, an ambulatory pavilion located near a main thoroughfare, 500-car parking garage, and helipad for emergency transport.
The Fight to Bring Back Kilmar Abrego Garcia
President Donald J. Trump and Salvadoran President Niyeb Bukele ignored a Supreme Court ruling supporting the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father illegally deported to El Salvador, sparking protests and advocacy locally and around the nation.
Authorities removed Abrego Garcia, a Prince George’s County resident, from the U.S. on March 15 and sent him to a Salvadoran prison, despite his receipt of a federal protection known as “withholding of removal.”
On April 1, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ruled the deportation illegal and ordered the government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return by April 7. However, the Trump administration quickly appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld Xinis’ ruling.
The administration then sought a stay from the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts granted a temporary pause, but on April 10, the high court issued a unanimous ruling reinstating Judge Xinis’s order, requiring Abrego Garcia’s immediate return.
The Trump administration then delayed action, inciting advocates, local and federal leaders alike, including Democratic U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), to push back. Van Hollen even traveled to El Salvador, visiting Abrego Garcia at the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center and advocating for his release.
In early June, Abrego-Garcia was returned to the United States following a long battle between the Trump administration and advocates who sought to protect him and the powers of the U.S. Constitution.
Rev. Graylan Hagler Launches Local Target Protest Amid National Boycott
During the earlier part of April– as civil rights veterans and young radicals observed the anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4)– the Rev. Graylan Hagler, along with other D.C. area clergy and activists, launched a movement in solidarity with a national boycott that has decimated Target Corporation’s profits.
The national boycott, founded by civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, Jaylani Hussein, and Black Lives Matter Minnesota co-founder Monique Cullors-Doty, kicked off in February. Highly promoted efforts by the Rev. Jamal Bryant and the Rev. Al Sharpton– including a Lenten season Target fast— inspired a meeting between the corporation’s executives and the two clergy activists.
At the time of the boycott’s inception, Target counted among the first Fortune 500 companies to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives upon President Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House.
Starting in early April, and continuing to this day, Hagler has stood among those posted in front of D.C. USA Shopping Center— the site of a popular Target retailer, protesting the corporation and passing out information to consumers about the larger goal behind the boycott.
In late November, on the Saturday Thanksgiving, activists, including Bryant and Tamika Mallory, took to the D.C. USA Shopping Center to protest Target and celebrate Hagler’s continued activism.
Bowser and Commanders Announce Return to RFK Campus
If D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and The Washington Commanders have their way, the Commanders will make their return to RFK campus by the fall of 2030, thanks to a deal that places much of the financial burden on the Commanders for the construction of a new football stadium.
On April 28, Bowser joined Commanders owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the ballroom of the National Press Club in Northwest where the trio formally announced what the mayor called a deal that’s a decade in the making.
The deal— amounting to $3.6 billion— includes a $2.7 billion investment from the Commanders that will go toward the construction of a new stadium, along with entertainment stadium riverfront districts anchored by housing, retail and restaurants.
The District’s initial contribution of $850 million will fund the construction of housing and recreation in Kingman Park, a sportsplex at the Fields at RFK, and a 30-acre stretch of riverfront community commons along the Anacostia River Trail. An additional $202 million will fund the construction of roadways and utilities infrastructure, and a WMATA capacity study.
This brings the District’s contribution to more than $1 billion over six fiscal years.
May
May was a month of barrier-breaking and milestone moments in D.C. and worldwide, including the election of the first American pope, a march uplifting Black parental rights and families during Mother’s Day weekend, and the kickoff of World Pride Celebrations in the District.
Barrier-Breaking Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pontiff has Black Roots
For the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, an American— with Black and Creole ancestry to boot– was elected pope.
On May 8, the second day of the conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago, was chosen to succeed Pope Francis and is now known as Pope Leo XIV.
His election is not only historic as the first dual American and Peruvian citizen to serve as pontiff, but because the Chicago-born pope has Black roots.
According to genealogist Jari Christopher Honora, his maternal lineage traces directly to the Black community of New Orleans’ 7th Ward, with family ties to Haiti, and census records identifying his ancestors as “Black” or “Mulatto.”
Prevost, who was 69 at the time of his election, succeeded Pope Francis, who led the Church from 2013 until his death in April.
Black Mothers March for Equality in Child and Family Service Agencies
On Mother’s Day, Black maternal figures and allies participated in the fourth annual Black Mothers March on the White House to challenge prevailing racial disparities in child and family service agencies’ engagement with Black families.
Every year since 2022, organizers have converged on the District during the holiday weekend celebrating mothers to educate families about their parental rights and intensify resistance to a system that regulates familial relationships.
World Pride Kicks Off
Amid federal efforts to reverse and eradicate LGBTQ+ rights, WorldPride is coinciding with the District’s 50th anniversary Pride celebrations.
Events kicked off in the nation’s capital on May 17, beginning a three-week celebration of panels, exhibits, rallies and parties, all culminating with a closing concert featuring headliners Cynthia Erivo and Doechii.
Hosted by InterPride and Capital Pride Alliance, this year’s theme was “The Fabric of Freedom,” communicating a message of unity amid nationwide attacks on LGBTQ+ culture and identities.
June
Prince George’s gained a new county executive in June, and as the weather warmed up, many people took to the streets for celebrations and protests.
Braveboy Wins Special Election, Sworn In on Juneteenth
Prince Georgians voted then-State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D) to serve as the next county executive, after she proved victorious in a crowded Democratic primary in March and against Republican candidate Jonathan White, an Air Force veteran in the June 3 general election.
She was sworn in on Juneteenth and has set an agenda to unify local political and civic leadership, protect laid-off federal workers, support local businesses and entrepreneurs, keep Prince George’s parks and shopping centers clean, and prevent crime recidivism. She also ensured Prince Georgians had resources throughout the federal government shutdown.
The next county executive election will be this year. Primaries are on June 23 and the official Election Day is on Nov. 3.
Culminating World Pride, Celebrating D.C. Pride
From parading the streets of Pennsylvania Avenue, to marching in resilience at the Lincoln Memorial, WorldPride 2025, celebrated in alliance with D.C. Pride, culminated its three-week series with a nod to the storied rejoice and resilience of the Pride movement of more than 50 years.
An estimated crowd of hundreds of thousands – whether atop the floats of Saturday’s Pride Parade, or rallying in arms bright and early Sunday – swarmed the nation’s capital unmoved by hot temperatures, violent acts, or the Trump administration’s decisions to roll back protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
WorldPride (May 17-June 8), which hosted its first year in Washington, D.C., was held at a time of blatant attacks against the queer community, with numerous executive orders pushing for the elimination of trans and gender identity protections and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
The June 7 WorldPride Parade — combining the annual Capital Pride parade with the global celebration — was double the fun, amid an all-day festival uplifting D.C.’s LGBTQ+ residents and queer communities worldwide.
The following day, International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom demonstrated an empowering intersection of culture, identity, and resilience, amplified through a massive resistance of rainbow flags and protest signs that surpassed the cloudy skies.
As speakers from various backgrounds, cultures and sexual orientations and identities spoke atop the Lincoln Memorial, one message rang clear: No one wins, unless everyone wins.
WMATA Overhauls Metrobus System
On June 29, WMATA launched the Better Bus Network, its first systemwide overhaul of the Metrobus system in half a century.
The redesign changed the name of every route, removed more than 500 stops, and restructured schedules. The first letter of each route is now dictated by its direction (C for crosstown and D for downtown) or destination (A for Virginia’s Alexandria City and Arlington County; F for Fairfax County, Virginia; M for Montgomery County, Maryland; and P for Prince George’s County, Maryland).
The names of limited and express routes end with X.
WMATA officials say the Better Bus Network, intended to increase bus frequency and service as well as produce clearer routes, followed years of community engagement, rider surveys, and transit data.
Trump’s Military Celebration and the Counter No Kings Day Parade
President Donald Trump’s extravagant up to $45 million birthday and military parade through Washington, D.C., drew outrage across the country and prompted massive counter protests under the banner “No Kings Day.”
While it was billed to celebrate 250 years of the military, the president’s show of force was widely viewed as self-congratulatory and authoritarian, sparking demonstrations in dozens of cities from Washington, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York.
Despite the thick, humid air, people lined the streets, some cheering and shouting chants of ‘USA’ as helicopters flew by, while others protested the Trump administration and stood for equity and justice for all— each fighting for a different vision of America.
July
July came with a lot of shifts for the District and nation, as President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, immediately sparking concern about legislative cuts that provide support to many Americans. In D.C., voters reelected a D.C. Council member to take the same seat from which he was expelled, and protestors took to the National Mall to speak out against Medicaid cuts and other concerns amid the Trump administration.
Trump Signs One Big Beautiful Bill, Sparking Concern for Many in District and Nation
President Donald Trump signed the Republican endorsed One Big Beautiful Bill on July 4, promising a generous tax reprieve for high earners, however it reduced support for those who rely on safety net programs.
According to Penn Wharton Budget Model’s May 23 report, the bill slashes Medicaid by more than $900 billion and SNAP (food stamps) by nearly $300 billion over the next decade. These reductions are expected to force millions off of public assistance — a development disproportionately affecting Black and brown communities in ZIP codes like 20019, 20020, and 20032, where public benefit participation rates are among the highest in the District.
Meanwhile, the bill’s elimination of taxes on tips and overtime — another high-profile talking point from Trump — is capped and only applies to non- “highly compensated” workers, defined as those earning less than $160,000 per year. Even then, the deduction ends in 2028, raising questions about long-term relief.
In total, the bill adds $2.8 trillion to the national deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office and Penn Wharton analysts, while reducing the income of low-income Americans by more than $800 a year on average by 2026 — and by $1,500 annually by 2033.
Ward 8 Voters Reelect Trayon White in Special Election
Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White (D) was officially declared the winner of the special election spurred by his expulsion from the D.C. Council earlier this year.
As of 8:26 p.m. on July 15– the night of the election– White commanded the lead with 29.46% of the vote. Sheila Bunn was second with 24.13%, while Mike Austin and Salim Adofo were in third and fourth place with 23.49% and 22.17% of the vote respectively.
Voter turnout in Ward 8 was 12%. In total, D.C. Board of Elections received 6,779 ballots— 3,763 mail-in ballots and 3,016 ballots cast during early voting and on July 15.
White dominated most precincts, while Precincts 91 and 114 went to Bunn and Austin clinched Precincts 120 and 123.
Less than a month later, Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder (D) swore in White in a ceremony on Aug. 8.
Medicaid Cuts Protest on National Mall, U.S. Capitol
Scores of people braved the sweltering heat in Washington, D.C. on July 26– the 35th anniversary of the Americans for Disabilities Act— advocating that Medicaid, the federal government program providing health care to the poor, should be preserved and funded to levels where it can benefit the people most who need it, including those who are disabled.
Advocates were speaking out against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal budget passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump, which slashes Medicaid, SNAP and other vital programs that millions of people depend on.
Noting more than three decades of the Americans for Disabilities Act, other speakers emphasized that some of the legislation’s funding aspects— such as helping people with disabilities to live mainstream lives— are in jeopardy because of the Republicans in Congress with Trump’s support.
August
With August came major shifts for District residents of all ages. The Trump administration sent federal officers and members of the National Guard to patrol local streets, inciting major protests across the area, and local students started the school year having to say “goodbye” to their phones while class is in session.
Month-Long Federal Surge Leaves Washingtonians on Edge
Federal infringement on local affairs reached, what some would describe as, astronomical levels in August.
More than a dozen federal law enforcement agencies encroached on District neighborhoods and on Monday, Aug. 11, President Donald Trump announced he was seizing control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Although Trump explained his decision is about combating crime in D.C., “formally declaring a public safety emergency,” data from his own Justice Department reveals a different story. In 2024 the violent crime rate in the nation’s capital fell 35% from the year before, hitting a 30-year low.
He said that his announcement marked “Liberation Day for D.C.,” vowing to “wipe out crime, savagery, filth, and scum” in the capital.
Throughout the 30-day federal surge, as members of the National Guard, ICE and other federal agencies patrolled the streets, thousands of activists took to the streets to protest what many called a federal overreach.
Further, MPD began to establish juvenile curfew zones in areas such as Navy Yard. Activists such as members of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, an abolitionist-led grassroots organization dedicated to protecting all Black lives at risk of state-sanctioned violence, canvassed the Navy Yard neighborhood as what members described as part of an effort to protect youth from overzealous law enforcement officials, agency or jurisdiction notwithstanding.
Officers of the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) pepper-sprayed, manhandled and detained a Harriet’s Wildest Dreams activist by the name of Arianna Afeni Evans after she questioned why officers were questioning three Black youth. A video showing the violent arrest went viral, sparking nationwide outrage.
While the federal surge ended Sept. 10, the National Guard remains patrolling District streets.
DCPS Starts Cellphone Ban in Schools
Tensions were already heightened as the National Guard and federal forces filled District streets at the start of the school year in late August. However, D.C. students, teachers and guardians alike entered the new school year with another major transition: a ban on student cellphone use during the school day across District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools.
In D.C., the ban came as part of a broader effort by school leaders and city officials to reduce distractions and refocus students’ attention. However, the policy rollout sparked questions about how it would be enforced, whether schools had the resources to manage it, and whether it addressed the underlying causes of student disengagement.
September
As the humidity dissipated and the federal officers surge came to a close, Washingtonians showcased their resilience at the annual H Street Festival and welcomed people from around the nation and world for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 54th Annual Legislative Conference.
Washingtonians Celebrate D.C. Culture, Resilience at H Street Festival
With the National Guard still patrolling throughout the District, local leadership and D.C. pride shone bright, as hundreds of thousands of people flooded Northeast to celebrate community and resilience at H Street Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Featuring a block expansion, new businesses, and 20 years seniority, Saturday’s celebration highlighted the breadth of the Northeast corridor to the tune of about 250 vendors and an estimated 160,000 attendees, all basking in the District as a cultural hub for creativity and economic development.
With people from all over the map joining the festivities, the 2.5 mile corridor— one block east of Union Station train facility to Benning Road— was packed and alive with engagement for the annual celebration.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Holds Annual Conference Ahead of Government Shutdown, Offers Calls to Action
Just weeks after the federal law enforcement surge ended and amid rising tensions due to the looming government shutdown, thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 54th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)— held Sept. 24-28.
While the convening happens annually in the nation’s capital, this year was particularly unique as the event kicked off in Southeast D.C. at Sycamore and Oak, before many of the main events in Northwest D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention.
The conference brought a roaring nation to the heart of Washington united in a plea for democracy and civil rights.
Guided by the theme: “Made for This Moment: Power, Policy, Progress,” the CBCF ALC mobilized legislators, community officials, influencers, celebrities and concerned constituents with the beginnings of what many likened to a continued legacy of civic resistance.
During the annual Phoenix Awards, former Vice President Kamala Harris (D) spoke about work that can be done to empower Black communities and all Americans amid this challenging moment for the nation.
October
With the federal government shutting down at the start of the month, tensions were high and many Americans were left asking a lot of questions. Despite concerns and nationwide division, Washingtonians came together in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March and the return of Unifest.
Historic Federal Government Shutdown Begins
Despite what some on both sides of the aisle might consider their best efforts, Democrats and Republicans couldn’t avoid the first federal government shutdown in seven years, and the third to take place under President Donald J. Trump.
In the days and hours leading up to Oct. 1— the beginning of the 2026 fiscal year— congressional Democrats and Republicans were still at an impasse about how to shape the budget needed to keep the federal government open.
Discussions stalled when Senate Democrats demanded an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and reversal of Medicaid cuts that included in a stopgap measure proposed by Senate Republicans.
GOP leaders responded, asking that health care spending discussions take place in the new fiscal year. Republicans also called Democrats’ demands an overture to an anti-Trump base and, more specifically, undocumented migrants.
The shutdown lasted 43 days, leaving federal workers unpaid for weeks.
District Celebrates 30th Anniversary of the Million Man March and Return of Unifest
While people around the country navigated a government shutdown and nationwide division, hundreds highlighted the power of collective action, unifying in celebration of two marquee events in D.C. history: the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March and the renewal of the Ward 8-based community festival Unifest, sponsored by Union Temple Baptist Church.
The Rev. Willie Wilson, pastor emeritus at Union Temple Baptist Church, was a key organizer in the Million Man March commemoration and return of Unifest.
The 30th anniversary celebration took place on Oct. 16 in Southeast’s Anacostia neighborhood, 30 years after the initial event drew an estimated 1.5 million African American men from around the world to the National Mall.
Two days later, the revival of Unifest was held on the grounds of Union Temple after a roughly 18-year hiatus due to an accident in 2007, which led to the church tabling the event.
As the District and the nation dealt with the consequences of a federal government shutdown affecting many people’s employment and livelihood, and the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back gains in civil, human and voting rights, Wilson said the two events could not have come at a better time.
November
As the government shutdown continued through mid-November, Virginia voters made history by electing the first woman to serve as governor of the state. Two weeks later, in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she would not run for reelection next year.
Virginia Elects First Woman Governor in Historic Election
In a historic race, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) defeated Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, becoming Virginia’s first woman elected as governor.
Even before the groundbreaking election on Nov. 4, many Virginians and leaders nationwide emphasized the significance of the election, which would have elected the first woman governor no matter the victor.
The race against Earle-Sears, a Black woman, Jamaican immigrant and Marine Corps veteran who is most known for her opposition to LGBTQ+ issues, was highly contested.
President Donald Trump endorsed Earle-Sears, while former President Barack Obama supported Spanberger in her quest for Virginia’s top seat.
The governor-elect is a moderate Democrat who had a bipartisan streak while serving in Congress. Her gubernatorial campaign focused on the cost of living, particularly on keeping medical costs affordable for Virginia families.
National figures noted the Virginia gubernatorial race often serves as an early bellwether of national political attitudes in the lead-up to the midterm elections, leading to hints of a potential blue wave in races throughout the nation this year.
Federal Government Officially Reopens
The longest government shutdown in American history officially ended. After 43 days of frozen services, missed paychecks, and partisan standoff, President Donald Trump (R) signed a funding bill late on Wednesday, Nov. 12, that reopened most of the federal government and keeps it running until Jan. 30.
The House approved the measure by a 222 to 209 vote after the Senate advanced a compromise earlier in the week.
For hundreds of thousands of federal workers, the formal reopening meant a return to work and the promise of back pay under existing law. However, it did not erase the damage from more than six weeks without a paycheck.
Many workers drained savings, took on debt, or picked up second jobs to get by.
The shutdown’s impact on America’s economy has lingered well beyond the first day back.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that a six-week shutdown would cut fourth quarter growth by as much as one and a half percentage points, with at least $11 billion in economic activity permanently lost.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Announces She is Not Seeking Reelection
Just days ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 25, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced she is not seeking a fourth term.
Bowser started her political career as an advisory neighborhood commissioner in her stomping grounds of Riggs Park in Northeast.
She later became Ward 4 council member during a special election, serving in that role from 2007 to 2015.
In 2015, Bowser entered mayoral office after defeating a then-scandal-ridden D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray in the 2014 D.C. Mayoral Democratic primary.
Under Bowser’s stewardship, the District’s public and public charter schools experienced enrollment and graduation gains.
Other feats include increased spending on certified business enterprises, the construction of the Frederick Douglass Bridge, the launch of a new hospital in Ward 8, and most recently, the Washington Commanders’ return to a newly constructed RFK Stadium.
Despite qualms among grassroots activists and marginalized District residents about what they describe as Bowser’s deference to developers, Bowser won reelection twice.
With the mayor not seeking reelection, Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D) announced she is running for the seat, and At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s (I) name continues to pop up as another potential mayoral candidate.
December
As the year wrapped, area leaders stepped down, while others were tapped to take on new responsibilities.
Adrienne Jones Announces Resignation, Peña Melnyk Elected as Speaker
Del. Adrienne Jones (D-District 10) announced the end of her historic tenure as the first African-American and woman to serve as speaker of Maryland’s House of Delegates, effective on Dec. 5.
Del. Dana Stein (D-District 11B), who was speaker pro tem, temporarily served as speaker until the Dec. 16 election, when Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D- District 21) was tapped to lead the legislative body.
Jones began serving in Maryland’s General Assembly in 1997, eventually rising to serve as the speaker pro tempore, vice chair of the appropriations committee, and chair of the capital budget subcommittee under longtime Speaker Michael Busch (D- District 30).
While she stepped down as speaker, Jones provided guidance toward selecting the legislature’s new leader.
“It’s a profound responsibility to honor Speaker Jones’ legacy and to continue to move Maryland forward,” Peña-Melnyk told The Informer in the days leading to the vote. “I want to lead with respect, dignity and inclusion.”
Peña-Melnyk, only the second Latina to lead a state legislature in American history, will now choose committee leadership, introduce critical legislation including the state budget, and guide the 141-member General Assembly through the upcoming legislative session in an election year.
MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith to Step Down at the End of the Year
During what’s gearing up to be a major shift for the District government, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith is resigning from her position as the top local law enforcement official at the end of the year.
Smith, who’s currently embroiled in the controversy of post-surge federal-law enforcement collusion and a congressional investigation into Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) crime data, told reporters that her decision to step down stems from nothing more than a desire to rest.
She became MPD chief in the summer of 2023, during a post-pandemic crime wave that had the District and other major U.S. cities under siege.
Under her leadership, the District experienced a significant reduction in homicides, a 52% decline in shootings over the last two years, and the removal of thousands of firearms. With the implementation of traffic safety compliance checkpoints and impounding of more than 1,300 scooters, the District also experienced a 47% reduction in traffic fatalities in 2025.
Smith has also touted the creation of the Juvenile Investigative Response Unit and launch of MPD’s Real Time Crime Center as feats that laid the foundation for a more effective response to crime. Other accomplishments include an increase in starting salary for recruits and a spur in recruitment events that’s, in part, credited with an 11% year-to-date increase in MPD recruit applications.
While the police chief is ending her tour of duty on Dec. 31, Smith said she and the officers under her command laid a solid foundation for her successor.