washington d.c news

For the first time in its 116-year history, the NAACP has decided not to invite the sitting president, Donald Trump, to its national convention taking place July 9-13. NAACP President Derrick Johnson emphasized this decision stems from Trump's attacks on civil rights rather than partisan politics, citing the organization's history of inviting both Republican and Democratic presidents despite policy disagreements. The decision follows Trump's controversial appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists' 2024 convention, where he made racially charged comments about Vice President Kamala Harris and immigrants. The NAACP has also recently sued the Department of Education for withholding funds from schools maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from sponsor homes across the United States during "welfare checks" conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. Officials have established a "war room" inside the Department of Health and Human Services to review data on unaccompanied minors and coordinate efforts between agencies including ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. While the administration claims these measures aim to protect children from unsafe conditions, critics argue that new stringent vetting requirements—including income verification, government IDs, and DNA tests—make it extremely difficult for parents and guardians, particularly undocumented ones, to reclaim their children. Federal data shows that over 2,500 children are currently in ORR custody with average stays increasing dramatically from 67 days in December 2024 to 170 days by April 2025.

WorldPride 2025, held in Washington D.C. from May 17-June 8 in alliance with D.C. Pride, brought hundreds of thousands of attendees to the nation's capital for a three-week celebration highlighting both joy and resilience in the LGBTQ+ community. The event marked 50 years of D.C. Pride while acknowledging ongoing challenges, including recent rollbacks of LGBTQ+ protections and DEI efforts. The festivities culminated with a massive parade on June 7 featuring over 300 participating groups, followed by the International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial on June 8 where speakers emphasized unity and resistance against discrimination. Despite a shooting and double stabbing in Dupont Circle the night before the rally, participants remained committed to the Pride movement's ongoing fight for equality and justice.

A Wisconsin nonprofit organization and two voters have filed a legal complaint against Elon Musk, his America PAC, and United States of America Inc., alleging they violated state election laws during the 2024 election cycle. The complaint centers on Musk's distribution of $1 million checks and his PAC's offer of $100 payments to registered voters who signed petitions in Wisconsin, which plaintiffs claim violated state laws prohibiting offering anything exceeding $1 to encourage voting. Despite previous attempts by Wisconsin's Attorney General to halt these activities, courts declined to intervene, with Musk's team arguing the payments were for petition signing and spokesperson roles, not for voting. The complaint seeks court declarations of illegality, future prohibitions of such practices, and potential damages.

President Donald Trump's planned $143 million birthday and military parade in Washington D.C. has prompted nationwide opposition with over 2,000 "No Kings Day" protests being organized by Indivisible and other progressive groups. Trump has threatened that any protesters will "be met with very heavy force," characterizing them as people who "hate our country." The demonstrations aim to challenge what organizers describe as Trump's authoritarian behavior, with protesters choosing to hold events across the country rather than concentrating in D.C. These nationwide protests will feature civil rights songs, grassroots speeches, and symbolic displays including African Americans prominently displaying photos of former President Barack Obama.

Salim Adofo, current Advisory Neighborhood Chair for 8C, is running in the July 15 special election for the Ward 8 D.C. Council seat recently vacated after Trayon White's expulsion following federal bribery charges. If elected, Adofo plans to address intra-community violence in all forms and tackle environmental issues that contribute to crime in Ward 8. He has positioned himself apart from other candidates through his support for Initiatives 82 and 83, while emphasizing collaborative governance and a vision for Ward 8 that includes revitalized development at St. Elizabeths East Campus and the United Medical Center. Despite facing allegations of misuse of ANC funds that are currently under audit, Adofo has secured endorsements from multiple organizations and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners who praise his strategic thinking and collaborative approach.

The DMV Fatherhood Coalition will honor exemplary Black fathers at their 15th annual Father's Day celebration on June 15 at Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast D.C. Co-chairs Dr. Franklyn Malone and Tyrone Parker aim to challenge negative stereotypes by recognizing fathers who fulfill their family and community responsibilities. The program acknowledges fathers across multiple categories, with Dr. Chapman Cosby selected as this year's "Father of the Year" for his 42 years of marriage, integrity, and role as a father figure to many. The initiative highlights positive contributions of Black fathers that often go unappreciated in both their communities and broader society.

President Donald Trump's attacks on Harvard University and other Ivy League institutions have escalated, with a recent proclamation prohibiting international scholars from teaching at Harvard. Harvard responded that this action violates their First Amendment rights and pledged to protect international students. Trump's campaign against elite universities is characterized as threatening educational equity, intellectual freedom, and opportunities for minority and international students, despite Trump himself holding an Ivy League degree from the University of Pennsylvania. The article argues that these attacks undermine public trust in higher education, delegitimize achievements of minority students, and could jeopardize decades of progress in racial and educational justice.

Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar in Adams Morgan, Washington D.C. has been nominated for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's (RAMW) 2024 Casual Restaurant of the Year award. Co-owned by Thewodros Yirdaw and his wife Selam Gossa, the restaurant is named after Gossa's mother, who learned traditional Ethiopian cooking in Harragie, Ethiopia and later opened a café in Addis Ababa. The restaurant prides itself on authentic Ethiopian cuisine, with Gossa preparing traditional ingredients like berbere, kibe, and shiro from scratch rather than using pre-packaged alternatives. Customers appreciate the restaurant for its authentic food, reasonable prices, pleasant atmosphere, and traditional dining experience where food is eaten without silverware.

In early 2025, credit scores for millions of Americans dramatically declined following the end of federal student loan payment pauses and the expiration of the Education Department's "on-ramp" period in late 2024. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, nearly six million student loan borrowers nationwide were at least 90 days delinquent between January and March, with over 2.2 million borrowers experiencing credit score drops exceeding 100 points. The impact is particularly severe in Washington D.C., which leads the nation in both average student loan debt per borrower ($54,145) and percentage of residents carrying such debt (17.2%), according to the Education Data Initiative. These credit score declines are significantly limiting borrowers' access to affordable loans, housing, and essential services like insurance and mobile phone plans.

Community organizers and advocacy groups in Washington, D.C. are planning an emergency protest called "ICE Out! From L.A. to D.C." on Tuesday evening at Columbia Heights Plaza in response to increased federal immigration enforcement actions. The demonstration, organized by groups including the ANSWER Coalition, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and several others, aims to challenge what they describe as intensified ICE raids and a broader crackdown on civil liberties. Protesters are demanding an end to deportations, a halt to police-ICE collaboration, and cancellation of the National Guard deployment to Los Angeles. The organizers view these federal actions as attempts to suppress dissent and intimidate immigrant communities, while the White House defends deportation operations as "essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals."

Immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles have created fear among immigrant families attending graduation ceremonies at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools. The raids sparked protests that escalated into clashes with authorities, particularly after President Trump deployed the National Guard to the area. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced enhanced security measures to protect graduation ceremonies, allowing families to enter venues quickly and remain inside if needed. The district is also offering limited Zoom viewing options while teachers' unions have organized rallies supporting immigrant communities and protesting the arrest of union leader David Huerta.

Sly Stone, the influential frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, has died at age 82 in Los Angeles after battling COPD and other health complications. As a pioneering musician who formed his groundbreaking interracial, mixed-gender band in 1966, Stone created hits like "Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People" while blending multiple genres that transcended musical boundaries. Despite personal struggles with drugs that affected his career in later decades, Stone's legacy was honored with inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Prior to his death, Stone had completed a memoir, biographical screenplay, and was featured in Questlove's documentary "Sly Lives!" earlier this year.