2025: The Year in Review

December 30, 2025

This article chronicles major events in Washington D.C. and the surrounding region throughout 2025, a year marked by significant political turmoil and community resilience. The year began with President Biden signing legislation for the RFK Stadium campus revitalization, followed by President Trump's inauguration and implementation of sweeping policy changes including elimination of DEI programs and pardons for officers involved in civilian deaths. Throughout the year, D.C. residents faced federal government overreach including a 43-day shutdown, removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza, deployment of National Guard troops to city streets, and threats to home rule.

Who is affected

Federal government employees (thousands furloughed, 4,000 filed unemployment claims, hundreds of thousands went without pay during 43-day shutdown)
Ward 8 D.C. residents and Councilmember Trayon White (expelled then reelected)
67 people killed in DCA mid-air collision, including civil rights lawyer Kiah Duggins, 14 skaters, and their families
D.C.'s unhoused population (faced encampment removals)
LGBTQ+ community (lost federal protections)
Black families and communities (affected by removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza, DEI elimination, Medicaid and SNAP cuts)
Low-income Americans relying on safety net programs (particularly in ZIP codes 20019, 20020, 20032)
DCPS and charter school students (subject to cellphone ban)
Kilmar Abrego Garcia (Maryland father illegally deported to El Salvador)
Kennedy Center board of trustees (terminated by Trump)
Prince George's County residents (new county executive Aisha Braveboy)
Virginia residents (first woman governor elected, Abigail Spanberger)
D.C. residents broadly (impacted by federal surge, National Guard patrols, potential loss of home rule)

What action is being taken

National Guard members continue patrolling District streets (as of the article's writing)
Rev. Graylan Hagler and activists continue protesting Target at D.C. USA Shopping Center (started in April, continuing "to this day")
Federal prosecutors are seeking harsher penalties for local crimes under Trump executive order
MPD is establishing juvenile curfew zones in areas like Navy Yard
Activists including Harriet's Wildest Dreams are canvassing neighborhoods to protect youth from law enforcement
The cellphone ban is being enforced across DCPS and public charter schools
National boycott of Target Corporation is ongoing
Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk is serving as Maryland House Speaker (elected December 16)
The federal government is operating under funding that runs until January 30, 2026

Why it matters

This year represents a critical inflection point for D.C.'s autonomy and the broader struggle for civil rights in America. The unprecedented federal overreach—including the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, deployment of National Guard troops to patrol local streets, and threats to eliminate home rule—challenges fundamental principles of local governance and democracy. The dismantling of DEI programs, removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza, and massive cuts to Medicaid ($900 billion) and SNAP ($300 billion) disproportionately harm Black, brown, and marginalized communities who depend on these protections and services. The article documents how residents responded with remarkable resilience through protests, community celebrations, and coalition-building, demonstrating that grassroots resistance remains vital when institutional protections erode. The political transitions—including Mayor Bowser's decision not to seek reelection after leading the city since 2015 and the departure of MPD Chief Smith—signal an uncertain future for District leadership at a moment when strong local governance is critically needed to resist federal encroachment.

What's next

Trayon White's trial is scheduled for March 2026
The Commanders plan to return to RFK campus by fall 2030 under the announced deal
Prince George's County will hold primary elections on June 23, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026
Federal government funding under the continuing resolution expires January 30, 2026
Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George is running for mayor, with At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie mentioned as another potential candidate
MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith's resignation becomes effective December 31, requiring selection of a successor
The upcoming Maryland legislative session will proceed under new Speaker Peña-Melnyk's leadership

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer