washington d.c news

The Trump administration has extended the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. through February 2026, maintaining over 2,300 troops from D.C. and several Republican-led states throughout the city. District officials, including Attorney General Brian Schwalb and Mayor Muriel Bowser, have strongly opposed the presence through a federal lawsuit arguing the deployment violates local self-governance laws and amounts to an illegal military occupation. The administration justifies the extended mission as necessary for security, though D.C. officials counter that violent crime is at record lows and no local assistance was requested. The controversy highlights the District's vulnerability to federal overreach due to its lack of statehood, with civil rights organizations warning the military presence threatens residents' safety and constitutional rights.

The Trump administration announced it will distribute only half the regular monthly food assistance to over 42 million Americans receiving SNAP benefits due to an ongoing government shutdown that has lasted more than a month. Federal courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ordered the USDA to use $5.25 billion in emergency contingency funds to provide at least partial payments, though this falls short of the program's typical $8 billion monthly cost. The funding crisis began when the government shutdown on October 1st left the federally-funded but state-administered program without resources. Multiple states and organizations have filed lawsuits against the administration over the food aid freeze, with some states pledging to use their own funds to maintain benefits. # Key Takeaways

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump donated $50,000 to the Black Press two months ago and publicly challenged other wealthy Black entrepreneurs and celebrities to contribute, but his call has been met with near-total silence. Despite approaching numerous billionaires and millionaires—including Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Jay-Z, and Magic Johnson—the Black Press received rejections or no responses from virtually all of them, even as they requested advertising partnerships rather than charity. This abandonment occurs while the Trump administration has terminated over 300,000 Black women from federal jobs and attacked diversity initiatives, making the Black Press's role as an employer and voice for the community more critical than ever. Notably, only white businessman Mark Cuban responded positively, donating $100,000 through his Cost-Plus Drugs company, while the Democratic Party has also withdrawn advertising support despite relying on Black voters.

The Trump administration's budget proposals and organizational changes threaten to dismantle decades of federally-funded domestic violence prevention infrastructure in the United States. Since the Violence Against Women Act passed in 1994, the federal government has been the primary funder of shelters, hotlines, legal services, and prevention programs that serve millions of abuse survivors annually. The president's proposed budget would eliminate entire programs and cut hundreds of millions of dollars from initiatives supporting domestic violence victims, while CDC teams responsible for violence prevention research have already been decimated through layoffs and reorganization. With minimal state funding and philanthropic support available as alternatives, advocates warn these cuts will force shelter closures, legal service reductions, and growing disparities between states in their ability to protect abuse victims.

A recent Pew Research Center survey of over 3,400 Americans reveals widespread dissatisfaction with both major political parties, with most respondents viewing the GOP and Democrats as too extreme and lacking ethical governance. Less than half of Americans believe either party governs honestly, with only 39% trusting Republicans and 42% trusting Democrats on this measure. Democratic voters express particularly high frustration levels at 67%, primarily criticizing their party's insufficient pushback against the Trump administration and weak leadership. While Republicans maintain advantages on crime and immigration issues and Democrats lead on healthcare and environmental policy, significant portions of the public align with neither party on key foreign policy matters, revealing a crisis of confidence in the American two-party system. # Key Takeaways

The TD Charitable Foundation has announced $10 million in funding through its Housing for Everyone grant program to assist renters facing eviction across the East Coast, including Washington, D.C. The initiative will provide forty grants of $250,000 each to nonprofit organizations that offer early intervention services like legal support, financial counseling, and rental assistance to low- and moderate-income communities. This marks the program's largest single investment in its twenty-year history, during which TD has distributed over $63 million to more than 630 affordable housing initiatives. Housing affordability remains critical in D.C., where nearly half the population rents and many spend over 30 percent of their income on housing costs that continue to outpace wages.

The US government shutdown, now in its fifth week with no resolution between deadlocked Democrats and Republicans, is causing severe economic hardship for millions of Americans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which serves over 40 million people, is set to run out of funding, potentially leaving families without food assistance for the first time in the program's history. More than a million military service members face missing paychecks, while six million Americans could lose heating assistance as winter temperatures drop. Additionally, thousands of federal civilian employees and air traffic controllers are working without pay or have been furloughed, leading to increased reliance on food banks and widespread flight delays across the country.

A Homeland Security Investigations agent shot at a vehicle during a traffic stop in Washington D.C.'s Ward 7, just days before the district's police commander told community members that ICE agents were not embedded with local officers. The incident has sparked accusations of deception and intensified concerns about federal law enforcement collaboration with Metropolitan Police Department officers throughout the city. Community activists and residents testified before the D.C. Council about multiple instances of federal agents working alongside local police to detain individuals, particularly affecting immigrant communities and people of color. The controversy has prompted calls for stronger enforcement of the city's Sanctuary Values Act and resistance to the Trump administration's increased use of federal agents in the District. # Key Takeaways

A prolonged federal government shutdown threatens to cut off critical nutrition assistance programs, with SNAP (food stamps) set to run out of funding starting in November and WIC (nutrition program for women, infants, and children) facing similar shortfalls after October contingency funds expire. These unprecedented funding lapses would affect nearly 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP and 7 million people served by WIC, including almost half of all U.S. newborns. While food banks are preparing to help bridge the gap, they can only provide roughly one meal for every nine meals funded by SNAP, making them insufficient to meet the potential surge in demand. The USDA claims it cannot access available contingency funds estimated at $5-6 billion for SNAP, though this assertion is being challenged in court by 25 Democratic-led states, and some lawmakers are discussing bipartisan standalone legislation to continue funding. # Key Takeaways

A prolonged US government shutdown has put food assistance at risk for over 40 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with benefits potentially stopping after the upcoming Saturday due to lack of congressional funding agreement. The Trump administration refused to tap emergency contingency funds, arguing those resources should be reserved for natural disasters, while Democrats and Republicans blame each other for the impasse that has entered its fifth week. Recipients like Chantille Manuel, who depends on SNAP despite running her own business, face impossible choices about stretching limited food budgets, while food banks prepare for a potential surge in demand they may struggle to meet. Several states have warned their SNAP recipients will lose benefits without federal action, prompting Democratic attorneys general from 25 states to sue the administration over the halted funding. # Key Takeaways

A multi-week government shutdown is threatening food assistance programs for hundreds of thousands of Maryland residents, with approximately 680,000 Marylanders set to lose SNAP benefits and 125,000 to lose WIC benefits starting November 1st. The Trump administration has declined to use a $6 billion contingency fund to maintain program funding and won't reimburse states that attempt to fill the gap themselves. Maryland Governor Wes Moore and other Democratic leaders are criticizing the shutdown while working to provide emergency food resources through distribution events and community partnerships. Local organizations like The Storehouse and Capital Area Food Bank are stepping up efforts to address the growing food insecurity crisis, hosting regular food giveaways throughout the region. # Key Takeaways

Virginia's upcoming gubernatorial election between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger illustrates the principle that shared racial identity doesn't guarantee aligned political values. While Earle-Sears would become Virginia's first female governor and is already the state's first Black woman in statewide office, voting rights advocates argue her MAGA-aligned policies don't serve Black community interests. Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, represents a moderate Democratic approach and currently leads in polls and fundraising. The election has prompted Black women leaders to emphasize voting based on policy positions rather than candidates' racial backgrounds, focusing on issues like reproductive rights, healthcare access, and economic justice that disproportionately affect their communities.

Kamal Ben Ali, chairman of the iconic DC restaurant chain Ben's Chili Bowl and known anti-violence advocate, has authored a motivational book titled "Ascend: The Black Man's Guide to Education, Success and Purpose." The 63-year-old wrote the guide specifically for Black men, drawing from his experiences working in his parents' business and living in the Washington area, offering practical advice on topics like forgiveness, gratitude, and personal growth. Written in a conversational style that emphasizes positive reinforcement rather than self-promotion, the book provides step-by-step guidance for young people dealing with trauma who need direction for improving their lives. Ali joins other DC business leaders like Andy Shallal and Sheila Johnson who have recently published books, and he plans to tour historically Black colleges and universities to promote his work and advocacy message. # Key Takeaways

As the 2025 federal government shutdown enters its second month due to congressional disputes over Affordable Care Act tax credits, federal workers and SNAP recipients across the Washington D.C. region face severe financial hardship. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Patricia Stamper has proposed an emergency resolution requiring publicly subsidized grocery stores to donate surplus food to community organizations serving affected residents. The shutdown, which began October 1st and has disrupted SNAP benefit disbursements, has particularly impacted Black families and government contractors who won't receive back pay even after reopening. While the Bowser administration and community organizations like the Greater Washington Community Foundation have launched job training programs and support initiatives, local leaders emphasize the urgent need for immediate resources and a more economically diverse regional economy less dependent on federal employment.

Project 2025, a conservative initiative to transform the federal government, has already implemented 251 out of 532 policy objectives through executive orders and regulatory changes that bypass congressional approval. According to the Center for Progressive Reform's analysis, nearly half of the agenda's goals are currently in effect across various federal agencies. The initiative represents a systematic government-wide transformation that critics characterize as eroding long-established rights and consolidating governmental control. This is not a theoretical proposal but an active restructuring already underway through administrative action. The article frames this as a deliberate effort that rewards compliance while punishing opposition within government ranks. # Key Takeaways

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the use of approximately $6 billion in emergency contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves over 40 million low-income Americans. The USDA has refused to tap these emergency reserves, stating they should be preserved for potential natural disasters, and has announced that SNAP funds will be depleted by November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. While some states have committed to using their own resources to cover funding gaps, others like Massachusetts lack sufficient funds to compensate for the federal shortfall. The lawsuit argues that withholding these contingency funds would be unlawful and unprecedented in the program's history, causing severe public health consequences for millions of Americans who depend on food assistance. # Key Takeaways

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.'s congressional representative since 1991, is facing personal and political challenges as she continues her civil rights work at age 88. She recently became a victim of fraud when scammers posing as HVAC workers stole over $4,000 from her, leading to questions about her capacity after a police report mentioned dementia, which her office strongly disputes. Simultaneously, the National Park Service reinstalled a Confederate statue of General Albert Pike that protesters had removed five years earlier, which Norton condemned as offensive to D.C.'s predominantly Black population. Despite introducing new legislation to promote equity in federal advertising contracts, Norton faces growing political pressure from challengers who question whether she can effectively defend the District's autonomy against the Trump administration.

The Trump administration's refusal to release federal contingency funds during a government shutdown threatens to halt SNAP food assistance benefits for millions of Americans starting November 1st, marking an unprecedented event in U.S. history. Over 1.6 million residents across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who depend on these nutritional benefits face potential food insecurity, while the USDA has confirmed it will not use available contingency funds or reimburse states that try to continue the program independently. D.C. officials report they lack the $30 million needed to replace federal funding, though the city is allocating limited emergency funds to maintain its WIC program temporarily. More than 20 Democratic attorneys general and governors, including D.C.'s Attorney General, have filed a lawsuit against the USDA to restore benefits, while Virginia's governor has declared a state of emergency to maintain assistance using state resources.

The article reports on a government shutdown that has halted SNAP benefits for over 40 million Americans in November, while President Trump redirects taxpayer funds to personal projects including a $300 million White House ballroom and aid to Argentina. The Trump administration refuses to use SNAP's emergency contingency fund, claiming the shutdown was "manufactured by Democrats," despite legal requirements to maintain benefits during shutdowns. Democratic leaders condemn the move as cruel and unlawful, particularly as health insurance premiums simultaneously double for millions on subsidized plans. Ironically, the hardest-hit Americans are largely white, rural, working-class families in counties that voted for Trump, contradicting administration narratives about benefit recipients. # Key Takeaways

President Donald Trump has ordered the reinstallation of a statue honoring Confederate General Albert Pike in Washington, D.C., which protesters toppled and burned during 2020 demonstrations following George Floyd's murder. The National Park Service restored the controversial monument, originally erected in 1901, citing federal historic preservation laws and Trump's executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton strongly opposes the restoration, arguing that Pike fought against the United States and that Confederate statues belong in museums rather than public spaces suggesting honor. The statue was the only Confederate general monument in the nation's capital and remains controversial due to Pike's alleged connections to the Ku Klux Klan, though Freemasons who funded the original statue dispute these claims. # Key Takeaways

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly indicated she may pursue another presidential campaign in 2028, telling the BBC she "possibly" sees herself as president and emphasizing she is "not done" with her career in public service. Harris has been actively criticizing President Trump's administration, accusing him of weaponizing the Justice Department and attempting to silence critics, including media figures like Jimmy Kimmel. In recent speeches, she has positioned herself as a champion of courage against what she characterizes as Trump's fear-based governance and authoritarian tendencies. While public reaction to her potential candidacy is mixed—with some Democrats calling for new party leadership and others enthusiastically supporting her—Harris remains determined to continue fighting for what she views as the country's moral direction.

Two Maryland Democratic senators are leading efforts to protect federal workers affected by a government shutdown. Chris Van Hollen has introduced legislation backed by over twenty senators that would guarantee back pay for federal employees and service members who missed paychecks due to the shutdown. Meanwhile, Senator Angela Alsobrooks is supporting multiple bills aimed at ending furloughs for workers in funded agencies and preventing mass layoffs through Reduction in Force orders. Both senators are criticizing Republican leadership and President Trump for what they characterize as politically-motivated decisions that harm dedicated civil servants who provide essential services to all Americans regardless of political affiliation. # Key Takeaways

A shooting near Howard University in Washington, D.C. on Friday night left five people with non-life-threatening injuries shortly after the conclusion of Yardfest, a homecoming celebration event. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith confirmed that two suspects were apprehended and three weapons were recovered from the scene of the shooting, which occurred around 8:23 p.m. in the 600 block of Howard Place NW. None of the victims were Howard students, though one attended Morgan State University, and authorities have committed to maintaining increased police presence during remaining homecoming festivities while working to determine a motive for the violence.

The Swaliga Foundation hosted its 10th Annual #STEAMtheBlock Party at Gateway DC in Southeast Washington, offering free STEAM-focused activities to the community. The "Fall Back to School Edition" event, sponsored by major companies including Best Buy, Google, and Bank of America, featured interactive stations, live demonstrations, and artistic performances. Designed as part of Swaliga's youth empowerment initiative, the event created a safe, educational space for young people amid rising concerns about youth incidents across the District. Students engaged with robotics, community art projects, and received mentorship from tech industry professionals, all aligned with the foundation's mission of connecting youth to global opportunities through STEAM education.

Two major community events in Washington D.C. recently brought people together during a time of national division: the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March and the revival of Unifest after an 18-year hiatus. Both events, facilitated by the Rev. Willie Wilson of Union Temple Baptist Church, emphasized community unity, faith, and responsibility. The Million Man March commemoration on October 16 included a symbolic lantern-lit march across the Anacostia River to honor historical Black migration patterns, followed by speeches and performances at Union Temple Baptist Church. Two days later, Unifest was revived on the church grounds, featuring vendors, speakers, and celebrations of Black culture and community.