Have recent headlines had you wondering again if President Trump can take over D.C.? Here's everything you need to know about D.C. Home Rule and how you can protect democracy in D.C. https://www.acludc.org/news/dc-home-rule-what-it-how-it-works-and-why-it-matters/

D.C. Home Rule: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters - ACLU of DC

Can President Trump take over D.C.? What is D.C. home rule? How does it work? And why does it matter? Here are some answers to these pressing questions. Chances are that D.C. home rule has been on you...

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For many people returning home after incarceration, poetry and art offer something that's often in short supply: the freedom to be seen, heard, and understood on your own terms. Listen to the full episode featuring Free Minds Book Club's James Carpenter: https://bit.ly/4wmhglZ

Today, it's easier to hold a restaurant owner accountable for harm than to hold a federal officer responsible for violating constitutional rights. We're fighting for accountability because no one should be above the law, including federal agents. Join us: https://bit.ly/4fJziaR

2026 ACLU-D.C. Annual Membership Meeting - ACLU of DC

Enjoy food, drinks, and a chance to connect with ACLU-D.C. staff, partners, and fellow advocates—this moment needs you.

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We talk a lot about strengthening public safety to protect our civil liberties and civil rights. But how exactly are these issues connected? ACLU-D.C. policy advocacy director Alicia Yass and ACLU-D.C. policy counsel Peggy Ramin have the answers you need: https://bit.ly/4wmhglZ

Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you have guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution and D.C. Law. Protect yourself and your community by understanding your rights and preparing for potential changes to the law. https://www.acludc.org/lgbtq-advocacy-resource-hub/

LGBTQ+ Advocacy Resource Hub - ACLU of DC

Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you have guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution and D.C. law.

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One year after President Trump deployed the National Guard to our nation's capital, D.C. residents still face troops in their neighborhoods. Join us for a conversation on the impact of this domestic occupation and how you can help protect D.C. democracy. Register today: https://bit.ly/45F4vHn

Our rights don't protect themselves. Defending civil liberties and rights in D.C. requires all of us. Join us for ACLU-D.C.'s 2026 Membership Meeting to hear how we’re fighting for federal accountability and learn how you can help build a more just and free D.C. Register: https://bit.ly/4fJziaR

Being stopped by the police is difficult for everyone. If you are deaf, the experience can be worse. Here's what to do when dealing with police as a deaf person: https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/deaf-rights-what-do-when-dealing-police/

Deaf Rights - What to Do When Dealing with Police KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: DEAF RIGHTS- WHAT TO DO WHEN DEALING WITH THE POLICE| ACLU of DC ACLU-DC

Being stopped by the police is difficult for everyone. If you are deaf, the experience can be worse. Learn more about how law enforcement can effectively work with deaf and hearing impaired citizens i...

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Federal official accountability is a critical step in keeping our communities safe. The Bivens Act and the Constitutional Accountability Act would give people real recourse when their rights are violated. Urge Congress to stop reckless government cruelty and pass these bills: https://bit.ly/3RHu8UK

Keep Our Communities Safe: Hold Federal Agents Accountable

No one should be above the law, including federal agents. Congress must pass legislation giving victims the right to sue when federal agents violate their constitutional rights.

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People who have faced violence or abuse by federal officials deserve accountability. That’s why we’re joining ACLU affiliates across the nation in fighting on behalf of people whose rights have been trampled on by President Trump’s reckless and violent agenda. https://bit.ly/4hE1JcJ

Veteran files $3 million claim over alleged National Guard assault

A combat veteran files a legal claim accusing three Idaho National Guard members of assaulting her in front of her DC home.

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BREAKING: We filed a legal claim on behalf of retired Army captain Anna King, who was assaulted by National Guard troops outside her D.C. home. The filing is part of a coordinated effort by the ACLU and its affiliates to hold federal officials accountable for severe violations of people’s rights.

ICE is detaining more people than ever before in order to comply with President Trump's anti-immigrant crusade. Keep you and your community safe. Know your rights when interacting with ICE agents in the DMV: https://bit.ly/4sXINsQ

Know Your Rights when Interacting with ICE in the DMV - ACLU of DC

Your rights do NOT change when you cross the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virgina)

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People with disabilities deserve the freedom to determine our own lives and our own futures. Too often and for too long, we’ve been denied that essential right. This Disability Pride month and every other month of the year, we’re fighting for a world where we can exist on our own terms.

With National Guard troops expected to be deployed in D.C. until 2029, make sure you know your rights when encountering military troops and law enforcement in the District: https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/encountering-law-enforcement-and-military-troops-in-d-c/

Encountering Law Enforcement and Military Troops in D.C. - ACLU of DC

No matter what uniform they wear, federal agents and military troops are bound by the Constitution, including our rights to peaceful assembly and due process.

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Successful reentry builds safer communities. On this week's episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-D.C. policy advocacy director Alicia Yass is joined by James Carpenter of @freemindsbookclub.bsky.social to discuss the value of reentry programs for public safety. Listen: https://bit.ly/4wmhglZ

We're seeking passionate and collaborative candidates for a Community Engagement and Education Coordinator. If you're excited about building community and turning civic engagement into meaningful change in D.C., apply today: https://www.acludc.org/jobs/community-engagement-education-coordinator/

Every dollar spent is a choice. We can either choose to waste billions of dollars on federal overreach and abuse of power, or we can choose to invest in the people and our communities that make real, lasting public safety possible.

H.R. 9720 is further proof that federal attacks on local D.C. democracy have become simply untenable for our nation. We need D.C. statehood now — the health of our democracy depends on it. Tell Congress it's time to make D.C. the 51st state: https://bit.ly/4pJb04t

It's utterly impractical for Congress to have to approve a local D.C. tax cut or contributions to a pre-tax college savings account. Yet extreme members of Congress are more interested in dictating local D.C. tax codes than delivering real results to their constituents at home.

The people of D.C. deserve the power to shape decisions about their own tax dollars — just like the people in any other city and state. But H.R. 9720 seeks to strip our local government of its authority over our own tax and fee codes. This is why we need D.C. statehood now.

It would be unthinkable and impractical for Congress to have to approve local tax and fee codes in any other state. But today, members of Congress – never elected by D.C. voters – voted in favor of eroding our local representation and expanding federal control over our local tax dollars.

The Imperial March is the music that plays in Star Wars as Darth Vader and his storm troopers enter the scene. It’s also the soundtrack of Sam O’Hara’s protest against the National Guard presence in D.C. Here's how we're defending protest rights in D.C.: https://bit.ly/4x0cKK3

O’Hara v. Beck – Defending the Right To Protest the National Guard - ACLU of DC

In Star Wars, the Imperial March is the music that plays when Darth Vader and his storm troopers enter the scene. It’s also the soundtrack of Sam O’Hara’s protest against the National Guard’s presence...

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There is no democracy without D.C. statehood.

Unaccountable government actors put all of us – and our rights – in jeopardy. Victims rarely see justice, and officers rarely ever face accountability. Tell Congress to keep our communities safe. Hold federal agents accountable: https://bit.ly/3RHu8UK

Keep Our Communities Safe: Hold Federal Agents Accountable

No one should be above the law, including federal agents. Congress must pass legislation giving victims the right to sue when federal agents violate their constitutional rights.

action.aclu.org

People with disabilities aren’t asking for the world. We’re only asking that our elected leaders treat us with dignity and make policy decisions that ensure access for people with disabilities. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live and work freely. We’ll never stop fighting for that right.

When our constitutional right to speak out and protest is violated, the fight for accountability doesn't end in the streets. We continue it in the courts. Explore a visual timeline of 65 years of the ACLU-D.C. defending civil liberties and civil rights here in the District: https://bit.ly/4udyO2T

What happens when fear overpowers facts? Join us for the final screening in our Blacklisted summer film series, Three Brave Men, based on the true story of Maryland native Abraham Chasanow, a government employee accused of communist ties. Get your tickets today: https://bit.ly/4ydRou3

Blacklisted Summer Film Screening: Three Brave Men - ACLU of DC

The screening will be followed by a talkback with CJM's Director of Curatorial Affairs, Sarah Leavitt and the ACLU of District of Columbia's Legal Director, Scott Michelman.

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3 people have died in the past few weeks because of ICE. Three families forced to mourn the brutal loss of a loved one. This is what happens when federal agents are told they can act with impunity and violence. It puts all of our rights —and safety— in danger. We need federal accountability now.

Know this: you have guaranteed rights regardless of your immigration status. Learn more about your immigration rights in D.C.: https://www.acludc.org/immigrants-rights-and-resources-hub/

Immigrants' Rights and Resources Hub - ACLU of DC

Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights.

acludc.org

The Trump administration recently proposed a new rule that threatens access to the vital funding that non-profits and local governments use to serve our communities. This could lead to millions of people losing essential life-saving services.