washington d.c news

Richard Smallwood, a 77-year-old gospel music pioneer from Washington, D.C., passed away Tuesday in Maryland from kidney failure complications. The Grammy-nominated artist revolutionized gospel music by blending classical composition with traditional Black church sounds, creating contemporary classics like "Total Praise" and "Center of My Joy" that became staples in churches worldwide. A Howard University graduate and founding member of its Gospel Choir, Smallwood influenced generations of musicians across multiple genres and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. His five-decade career left an enduring legacy through his innovative compositions, teaching, and ministry that bridged faith and entertainment for diverse audiences.

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. Despite these challenges, the community celebrated important milestones including the opening of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, WorldPride festivities marking 50 years of D.C. Pride, the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March, and the Washington Informer's 60th anniversary, while political transitions included Mayor Bowser announcing she would not seek reelection and MPD Chief Pamela Smith's resignation.

Washington D.C. residents and activists are intensifying their push for statehood and home rule protection following President Trump's temporary federal takeover of the city's police department and other actions that diminished local autonomy. Community leaders are developing multiple strategies for 2026, including legislative pressure, grassroots mobilization, and cultural campaigns to raise national awareness about D.C.'s lack of self-governance. Activists emphasize the urgency of building community-based support systems as the district faces anticipated federal budget cuts and continued challenges to its limited autonomy. The movement combines political advocacy with cultural initiatives to transform local issues affecting over 700,000 Washingtonians into a broader national conversation about democratic representation and self-determination.

Following the elimination of federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs and similar corporate pullbacks, community leaders and activists are mobilizing to preserve civil rights progress through grassroots organizing. Various advocates, including representatives from the National Urban League, LGBTQ Task Force, and local community organizations, are emphasizing the need for collective action across multiple fronts. They stress the importance of workplace and school-based organizing, legal codification of rights, and building united coalitions among advocacy groups. Leaders highlight that sustained resistance requires mobilizing a critical mass of the population while combating misinformation and maintaining focus on democracy, diversity, and poverty issues.

In August 2025, Texas Republicans enacted new congressional district maps aimed at strengthening GOP representation in the House, prompting criticism from activists who argue the redistricting undermines Black voting power and political leadership. This development occurs as the nation reflects on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, with civil rights advocates expressing concern about widespread voter suppression tactics. Prominent leaders including Rev. Dr. William Barber, Lezli Baskerville, and Marc Morial are calling for intensified voter mobilization efforts to counter these measures. They emphasize the need for coalition-building across demographic groups and stress that strategic voting in upcoming elections is essential to defend democratic principles and civil rights. # Key Takeaways

The Washington D.C. metropolitan area is grappling with significant public safety concerns as the city experiences a federal takeover of its police department, deployment of the National Guard, and changes in local leadership. Community organizations like Harriet's Wildest Dreams are mobilizing against what they describe as intensified state violence and racist policing practices, particularly with the appointment of Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll. City officials are responding by proposing legislation such as the Prosper DC plan, which includes nearly 25 bills aimed at creating economic opportunities and youth development programs. Meanwhile, residents continue to express concerns about various safety issues ranging from violent crime to dangerous driving conditions throughout the district.

The publisher reflects on the challenges faced by the Black community in 2025, including job losses, housing insecurity, and threats to civil rights through harmful policies and executive orders. Despite these hardships, the community demonstrated resilience by supporting Black-owned businesses, contributing to mission-driven churches and nonprofits, and backing leaders who fought against unjust policies. Drawing on the Kwanzaa principle of Imani (faith), the piece emphasizes that faith has historically sustained Black Americans through slavery and segregation, and will continue to guide them through current struggles. The publisher affirms that 2026 will be a year of restoration and repair, urging the community to remain determined and active in their faith.

The Washington metropolitan area is facing multiple significant challenges that residents hope will be addressed in the coming year. These difficulties include widespread job losses resulting from budget reductions implemented during the Trump administration, affecting thousands of workers in the region. Additionally, families throughout the area continue dealing with financial hardship stemming from a major federal government shutdown that occurred previously. Beyond employment concerns, community members are expressing worry about access to essential services, particularly healthcare and affordable housing options for local residents. # Key Takeaways

The publisher of a newspaper founded over 60 years ago reflects on the legacy established by her father, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, who created the publication as more than just a news outlet. The original vision was to develop a community platform that would highlight stories showcasing strength and perseverance among its readers. The newspaper's core purpose of serving, informing, and empowering the community continues today, though delivering free, factual local journalism has become increasingly difficult. Publisher Denise Rolark-Barnes emphasizes that community support is essential to maintaining this journalistic mission and preserving her father's vision for future generations. # Key Takeaways

Washington, D.C. residents are experiencing significant increases in their utility bills as part of a nationwide trend affecting 49 states through at least 2027. Electric bills in the District have already risen by approximately $21 monthly (18%), while natural gas costs are expected to increase by about $15 monthly (17.6%) starting in 2026. These increases stem from multiple factors including aging infrastructure requiring replacement, surging electricity demand driven by AI data centers and post-pandemic recovery, and global natural gas market volatility. The rising costs are particularly burdensome for low-income residents and seniors who must choose between paying for utilities and other essential expenses like food and rent.

President Trump announced U.S. military strikes against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria's Sokoto State, characterizing the action as defending Christians against Islamic extremists, which coincided with growing criticism about heavily redacted Jeffrey Epstein documents. The strikes, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities according to the Pentagon, drew immediate pushback from Nigerian officials who rejected the religious framing and emphasized that terrorism affects all faiths in their country. The rhetoric has particular resonance in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, which houses approximately 27,570 Nigerian immigrants among its significant African diaspora population concentrated in Prince George's and Charles Counties. Nigerian leaders, including President Tinubu and Foreign Minister Tuggar, stressed their commitment to protecting citizens of all religions while asserting the operation targeted terrorists without religious distinction. # Key Takeaways

Rapper Nicki Minaj faced significant backlash from civil rights leaders and political commentators after appearing at a Turning Point USA event where she praised President Trump and JD Vance. Critics, including Bishop Talbert Swan, highlighted the contradiction between Minaj's immigrant background and her support for an administration implementing harsh immigration policies that disproportionately harm Black and brown communities. The controversy intensified when old footage resurfaced showing Turning Point USA's late founder Charlie Kirk previously criticizing Minaj as a poor role model for Black girls. Commentators argued that Minaj's celebrity status insulates her from the deportations and civil rights rollbacks affecting ordinary immigrants, while some suggested her political pivot was financially motivated given her reported mansion foreclosure and her husband's legal troubles.

A multistate coalition of attorneys general has reached a $149.6 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG for allegedly deceiving consumers about diesel vehicle emissions between 2008 and 2016. The automakers allegedly installed illegal "defeat device" software in over 200,000 diesel vehicles that allowed cars to pass emissions tests while releasing significantly higher nitrogen oxide pollution during normal driving. Mercedes will pay $120 million immediately to participating states, with Maryland receiving over $6.7 million, while affected vehicle owners will receive $2,000 payments and extended warranties if they install approved emissions software. The settlement requires Mercedes to repair noncompliant vehicles, prohibits future deceptive marketing practices, and follows similar enforcement actions against other automakers like Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler for comparable emissions-cheating schemes. # Key Takeaways

The Washington Informer held its inaugural Best of the DMV Winners Celebration on December 21st at Busboys and Poets in Anacostia, honoring winners selected through more than 15,000 votes across 200 categories celebrating Black excellence in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. The event, led by Ra-Jah Kelly and supported by Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes with Safeway sponsorship, recognized Black-led businesses, creatives, and institutions ranging from event planners and festivals to HBCUs and nonprofit organizations. During the celebration, organizers announced the creation of The Washington Informer Charities' James L. Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the recently deceased longtime staff writer known for his business reporting. Attendees emphasized the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and telling positive community stories, particularly during challenging times marked by federal pushback against Black narratives. The awards program is scheduled to return in 2026 with plans for expanded partnerships and continued celebration of regional changemakers. # Key Takeaways

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Washington, DC, challenging the city's prohibition on registering semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s, which Attorney General Pam Bondi claims violates Second Amendment rights. The legal action stems from DC's requirement that all firearms be registered with police, though the city specifically bars registration of fast-loading semi-automatic weapons, effectively making their ownership illegal. This lawsuit represents the latest conflict between the Democrat-controlled district and the Republican federal government over gun regulations, complicated by Congress's authority to approve DC's laws and budgets. The Trump administration has simultaneously worked to reduce gun restrictions in the capital, including ending felony prosecution for certain rifle and shotgun possession cases. Despite two high-profile shootings since Trump's return to office, violent crime in DC has reportedly decreased by 28% compared to the previous year.

The Trump administration's release of Jeffrey Epstein files has drawn bipartisan criticism for failing to meet legal requirements established by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Lawmakers assert that over 3,500 released documents contain excessive redactions, missing pages, and an unsearchable database, contrary to the law's mandates. Contrary to Trump's previous suggestions that political opponents would be implicated, the files revealed no connections between Epstein and Barack Obama or incriminating evidence against Hillary Clinton, though they did include a photo linking Trump more closely to Epstein than previously acknowledged. This controversy unfolds amid other contentious moves by Trump's administration, including plans for youth athletic competitions called "Patriot Games," marijuana reclassification that has created public confusion, and the controversial addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's appointment of Jeffery Carroll as interim Metropolitan Police Chief has sparked strong criticism from activists, particularly April Goggans of Black Lives Matter DC. Critics point to Carroll's alleged history of allowing white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys to operate freely, his involvement in controversial police tactics such as "kettling" during 2020 protests, and his presence in footage with extremist groups during lawsuits filed by Black female officers alleging discrimination. Carroll, a 20-year MPD veteran, assumes leadership during an investigation into alleged crime data manipulation under the previous chief, though he says his priorities include improving crime classification training and establishing an auditing team. Despite his promises of transparency and integrity, activists remain skeptical that any leadership change can address systemic problems within the department without fundamental structural reforms.