Happy New Year!
For many, a new year allows for moving beyond the battles of the past, starting fresh and setting goals to achieve for the next 52 weeks. However, The Washington Informer (WI) realizes that some of the challenges of 2025 are being carried over into the year, and many people are bracing for legislative decisions, executive orders and federal moves that could threaten civil rights, justice and equity for all.
With the transition of presidential power in January 2025, came a lot of confusion and questions that left: hundreds of thousands of federal employees jobless; millions of Americans wondering about health care; and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) a thing of the past for the U.S. government and even some corporations.
Dr. Kasonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, president of the Association for the Study of American American Life and History (ASALH), told The Informer: “2025 was an experience.”
“It was more than just a year,” she continued, “it was a resetting of the American historical narrative.”
In the D.C. area, residents navigated new life amid the second Trump administration, as the president immediately implemented changes affecting Washingtonians, and GOP leaders made concerted efforts to threaten or overturn the District’s limited home rule.
Consider the removal of Black Lives Matter in March; the fight to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia this spring; the 30-day federal law enforcement surge (Aug. 11-Sept. 10); and the historic federal government shutdown that lasted until mid November, to name one event per quarter.
Despite so many changes in 2025, this next year is about pushing toward a more just tomorrow.
The Informer is maintaining a pulse on the issues important to DMV residents, keeping the public updated through regular reporting, and holding officials accountable to ensure they are doing everything to support and strengthen the lives of all people.
As 2025 came to a close, The Washington Informer asked politicians, organizers, activists and everyday citizens to weigh in on the top challenges of the year. Residents shared how they hoped to see these problems addressed, while many leaders and advocates explained their plans for tackling and eradicating the issues.
Housing, mental and physical health care, public safety, economic stability, education, voting and civil rights, D.C. statehood, and life amid the second Trump administration were some of the many concerns plaguing many people— from former federal employees, parents and District Councilmembers alike.
Despite the long list of challenges and trying times, The Washington Informer is confident that there are many people in the District, nation and world working to fix the issues of 2025 in 2026.
That’s why this year’s Washington Informer slogan— as selected by fearless WI Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes— is: “We’ve Survived 2025. It Will Be Fixed in 2026.”
Although the publication can’t promise these problems will be resolved, it’s important to highlight the people pushing for solutions and know that the fearless reporters will spend the year following these politicians, organization directors and faith leaders to ensure they are still combating challenges and promoting positive progress.
“Too much energy is spent reacting, holding another meeting, forming another task force. Instead of correcting, 2026 must be the year we shift from commentary to accountability,” Kamita Gray of the Brandywine TB Southern Region Neighborhood Coalition told The Informer. “It means implementing solutions that we’ve already debated. True forward moment comes from forced action, not just constant reaction.”
The strong storytelling team is jumping into action and following the issues to be fixed in 2026 as well as people who are fighting for change.
“When we ground our actions in real, everyday experience,” Gray continued, “we build solutions that last in 2026.”
