washington d.c news

United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, fulfilling his promise to personally check on him. The meeting took place amid a legal battle where U.S. courts have ordered the federal government to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, though he remains detained in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele's custody. Bukele has publicly mocked reports of mistreatment by staging photos of the meeting with drinks, while Van Hollen described being blocked by Salvadoran military officials when attempting to visit the prison earlier. Abrego Garcia was deported based on gang allegations stemming from a discredited police officer's report, despite having previously been granted protection from deportation by a judge who cited threats of gang persecution in El Salvador.

The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against Mikhail Phillips, 711 49th Street LLC, RLP Investment Group LLC, and Vision Realty Management LLC over severe housing code violations at two apartment buildings in Deanwood. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb's civil action details dangerous living conditions including trash accumulation, infestations, mold, unsafe wiring, and security issues that have enabled illegal activity, with seven deaths occurring on the properties over two years. Despite over 30 Notices of Infraction issued since 2021 covering more than 100 violations, some classified as "life-safety hazards," the owner has reportedly responded dismissively and failed to make necessary repairs. The Office of the Attorney General is seeking court-appointed receivership, tenant restitution, civil penalties, and immediate abatement of illegal activities at the properties, which allegedly operate without required licenses and certificates.

Newly released data from the Jail Data Initiative provides the first comprehensive analysis in over 20 years of offenses driving America's jail population, revealing that of 7.6 million jail admissions in 2023, one-third (over 2.7 million) were for misdemeanor offenses. The report highlights how probation and parole violations account for nearly 1 million bookings, with almost half a million people jailed for technical violations such as missing curfews or failing drug tests. Additionally, 75% of women in jail face non-violent charges, while approximately two-thirds of all detainees are jailed for non-violent offenses, with public order charges being the most common top charge category. Regional disparities exist, with the South holding more than half the nation's jailed population and having twice the percentage of drug-related incarcerations (16%) compared to the Northeast (8%).

The bipartisan Take It Down Act, which would criminalize distributing nonconsensual intimate images and require tech platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a request, has passed the Senate unanimously twice and cleared a House committee. While the bill has strong support including from Melania Trump and President Trump's promise to sign it, House Democrats and victim advocates warn that recent weakening of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—which would be responsible for enforcement—may limit the bill's effectiveness. The legislation would provide recourse for survivors trying to remove intimate images from the internet, including consensual images distributed without permission and AI-generated deepfakes. As advocates push for this federal legislation, they are simultaneously working with state policymakers, as 49 states already have laws banning nonconsensual distribution of real intimate images.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival's free Petalpooloza event, presented by Chase Bank, took place on April 5 at the Capitol Riverfront in Southeast D.C. with five entertainment areas offering activities like silent disco, art markets, yard games, and musical performances. Diana Mayhew, CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, emphasized that the event aimed to create a sense of community and celebrate spring. The festival celebrates both D.C. culture and international relations, commemorating Japan's gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the U.S. in 1912 as a symbol of friendship. Attendees included long-time volunteers like Jacqueline Smith and D.C. natives like Sierra Johnson, who appreciated the event for its natural beauty and nostalgic value.

The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) executive director Nana Gyamfi is raising awareness about the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father illegally deported to El Salvador despite having federal protection status. Both President Trump and Salvadoran President Bukele are ignoring a Supreme Court ruling ordering Abrego Garcia's immediate return to the United States. Gyamfi warns that this case represents a broader threat to Black migrants and all Black people in America, particularly as Trump has discussed transferring "homegrown" prisoners to foreign correctional facilities. Despite court orders including a unanimous Supreme Court ruling requiring Abrego Garcia's return, he remains detained in El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center while Maryland officials like Senator Van Hollen advocate for his release.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a government-wide freeze on new hires, overtime spending, pay raises, promotions, and non-personnel expenditures in response to the District's Fiscal Year 2025 budget crisis. The freeze, effective Tuesday, will likely lead to furloughs and government facility closures that City Administrator Kevin Donahue will recommend in late April, aiming to save over $400 million. Despite Bowser's increase of the District's maximum spending cap by 6% (over $500 million) to help close a $1.1 billion budget gap, she emphasized that Congress still needs to pass the District of Columbia Local Budget Act to properly address the situation. Within 10 days, Donahue is scheduled to present a detailed plan for furloughs and facility closures, which will inform a supplemental budget to be presented to the D.C. Council within a 30-day window.

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) has received a $1 million grant from the 2024 TD Ready Challenge to launch the Resilient Futures: Small Business Financial Wellness and Wealth Building Program. This initiative, developed in partnership with Building Bridges Across the River, Onyx Therapy Group, and TD Bank, aims to provide financial literacy, technical assistance, and economic development opportunities to underserved small business owners in the DMV region. The program includes a wealth building loan program with cash collateral grants and the Ward 8 Small Business Preservation Cohort, designed to combat systemic barriers that have historically prevented entrepreneurs from accessing financial resources. WACIF CEO Shannan Herbert describes the grant as a "game-changer" that will help change lives and businesses by providing support through community-centered approaches that focus on engagement, listening, and responding to entrepreneurs' needs.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has formally invoked a 2009 federal provision to add approximately $679 million to Washington D.C.'s budget as an emergency stopgap measure to address a $1.1 billion shortfall caused by Congress excluding language allowing D.C. to access its approved fiscal year 2025 budget. Despite this action, the city still faces about $410 million in local spending cuts, though significantly less severe than originally anticipated under the federal spending plan. In a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders, Bowser explained that without full access to locally approved revenue, critical services including public safety agencies would face reductions. District officials expect spending freezes to begin within two weeks, while payroll and debt service obligations will continue uninterrupted.

The Rev. Al Sharpton met with PepsiCo leadership at their headquarters following criticism of the company's decision to scale back nearly $500 million in DEI initiatives. Sharpton, accompanied by National Action Network members, discussed concerns with PepsiCo Chairman Ramon Laguarta and CEO of PepsiCo North America Steven Williams in a meeting lasting over an hour. After the meeting, Sharpton described it as "constructive" and announced plans for follow-up meetings before making a final determination on actions toward PepsiCo. The meeting followed Sharpton's April 4 letter to Laguarta that accused the company of abandoning equity commitments and threatened a boycott if PepsiCo didn't meet within three weeks.

Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, the first new hospital in DC in 25 years, officially opened on April 15 at St. Elizabeths East Campus in Ward 8, bringing much-needed healthcare services to residents east of the Anacostia River. The full-service hospital features 136 beds (expandable to 184), trauma care, a 54-bay emergency department, maternal health services including a six-bed well-baby nursery and Level II NICU, and various specialty services such as dialysis, infusion, cardiac rehab, and physical therapy. The hospital's development involved years of advocacy from DC Council members, particularly Vincent C. Gray and Sandy Allen, and represents a significant public-private partnership between the DC government, GW Health, and Universal Health Services. For residents of Wards 7 and 8, who have long faced healthcare disparities and lacked accessible medical facilities, Cedar Hill offers the first opportunity since 2019 for mothers to give birth in a labor and delivery unit east of the Anacostia River.

On March 19, 2025, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained along with approximately 105 other municipal officials and politicians on allegations of corruption and aiding a terrorist organization, just days before his expected primary election win to challenge President Erdoğan in 2028. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc denied political motivations behind the arrests, claiming they represented the rule of law. In response, massive protests erupted across Turkey, with demonstrators voicing opposition to the arrests and concerns about eroding rights and freedoms, which were met with teargas and detentions by security forces. Many view this as a significant escalation of President Erdoğan's autocratic practices, potentially emboldened by Donald Trump's return to power in the United States and the European Union's pragmatic cooperation with Turkey on issues like migration, grain trade, and regional security.