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Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, as Told By Those Who Know Her

September 3, 2025

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.'s nonvoting congressional representative now in her 12th term, has been criticized for her limited response to the Trump administration's federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department. The article explores Norton's background, from her civil rights work with SNCC in 1964 Mississippi to becoming the first female head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and eventually winning her congressional seat in 1990. Throughout her career, Norton has been known as "D.C.'s Warrior on the Hill," securing important victories including budget autonomy, the D.C. College Act establishing DCTAG, and legislation attempting to advance D.C. statehood, though some critics like Kymone Freeman argue she hasn't been radical enough in fighting for District residents.

Who is affected

  • D.C. residents whose local governance is impacted by federal intervention
  • Incarcerated District residents who Freeman claims are not being kept close to home as promised
  • District youth and students who benefit from Norton's programs like DCTAG and congressional art shows
  • Local organizations and institutions like the African-American Civil War Museum that received support through Norton's legislation
  • D.C. voters who have consistently re-elected Norton since 1991
  • Critics of Norton who feel the District needs more aggressive representation

What action is being taken

  • Norton is making inquiries into National Guard deployment to the District
  • Norton has introduced a measure for body-worn cameras on federal officers
  • Frank Smith is working to uplift Norton's work and legacy while preparing for the African-American Civil War Memorial Museum's reopening on November 11
  • Kymone Freeman is planning to run for Norton's seat in 2026
  • District officials, residents, and activists are attempting to push back against the Trump administration's intervention in D.C. governance
  • The African-American Civil War Memorial and Museum is undergoing renovations

Why it matters

  • The article highlights the ongoing struggle for D.C. home rule and statehood, which Norton has championed throughout her career
  • Norton's work has secured significant benefits for D.C. residents, including budget autonomy and educational funding through DCTAG
  • The current tensions with the Trump administration represent what many call "the most intense infringement on D.C. home rule in 50 years"
  • Norton's civil rights background connects current D.C. governance struggles to broader historical fights for representation
  • The debate over Norton's effectiveness raises questions about what kind of representation is most effective for D.C. residents without voting rights in Congress

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, as Told By Those Who Know Her