Our military relies on public trust that service members will uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of personal loyalties or political opinions. President Trump's deployment of troops to police civilians in D.C. and other major U.S. cities undermines that trust.

The ACLU has long defended and advanced the civil liberties of veterans and servicemembers. As far as we've come, there's still work to do. We mark this Veterans Day with a continued commitment to advancing the rights of veterans, servicemembers, and their families in D.C.

ICYMI: dissent is patriotic.

Forcing kids to sit in "kid jail" instead of providing rehabilitative services so they can return to their communities is not only failing our youth; it's also creating a public health and public safety crisis in D.C. https://bit.ly/3WMaXs0

BREAKING: The Supreme Court denied an attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the case affirming marriage equality nationwide. Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.

Sending troops onto American streets puts all our basic rights at risk. Sam O'Hara—a District resident who was handcuffed and detained after playing the "Imperial March" theme to protest troops in D.C.—has an important message to share during this critical moment: Stay resilient.

Usually, students and young people have the same rights as anyone else under the First Amendment. In schools, however, students' First Amendment rights are not absolute. Read our guide to learn more about how the First Amendment applies to students: www.acludc.org/know-your-ri...

This Supreme Court decision not only undermines the ACLU's ongoing lawsuit against the Trump admin.'s discriminatory policy, it also undermines transgender people's freedom to have their government documents reflect their identity. Transgender people deserve equal treatment and equal dignity, too.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to enforce its discriminatory passport policy while our lawsuit makes its way through the courts. This decision undermines the freedom of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people to have our IDs reflect who we are.

Barbara Cameron dedicated her life to creating support networks for her Indigenous queer community in San Francisco. Her legacy inspires our work to build community safety and agency in D.C., protecting and advancing civil liberties and rights for everyone in the District.

With National Guard troops stationed in D.C. through at least February 2026, it's important to know your rights if you're stopped by law enforcement or military troops in the District. ⤵️

We’re disappointed that the D.C. Council continues to focus on punishment rather than creating opportunities for youth in the District—like jobs, programming, and safe places to be at night—that recognize their full humanity.

Last week the Secretary of Defense extended the National Guard deployment in D.C. to February 2026. President Trump’s unprecedented siege shows just how dangerous it is for D.C. to continue to be denied statehood. 1/2 https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/29/politics/national-guard-dc-extension-february-2026

A federal court issued the ACLU a Halloween treat on Friday by permanently blocking part of President Trump's executive order unnecessarily requiring documentary proof-of-citizenship on the federal voter registration form—a policy that would've disproportionately impacted voters of color.

“I think people should be watching D.C. And the rest of the nation should say we're gonna resist when they start with D.C.” Listen to our E.D. Monica Hopkins & @wkamaubell.bsky.social discuss the national impacts of Pres. Trump's D.C. power grab, D.C. resistance & more: www.aclu.org/podcast/depl...

We said it before and we'll say it again: the president’s actions are not about safety, they're intended to consolidate power and create fear in the nation’s capital. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-recruits-federal-officers-police-washington-dc-2025-10-30/

Poet and activist Andrea Gibson—like so many other LGBTQ+ people—understood intimately that existence itself is a political act, and carried that understanding into their writing, focusing on topics like on gender, queerness, social justice, life, and death.

Military troops have no place policing civilians in the United States. The only thing President Trump's brazen D.C. power grab is achieving is wasting tax dollars and the military's time while putting D.C. residents' safety and constitutional rights at risk. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Make no mistake: President Trump's recent national security memo aims to target activists and advocacy organizations that he perceives as political opponents. https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/how-nspm-7-seeks-to-use-domestic-terrorism-to-target-nonprofits-and-activists

Encountering police, federal agents, or military troops in D.C.? At this critical moment, knowledge is power. Here are some phrases to use to exercise your civil rights in various situations. 1/3

When the U.S. accepted the Statue of Liberty 139 years ago, we also accepted her call to care for the tired, the poor, those yearning to be free. The ACLU-D.C. remains committed to this call by protecting the civil liberties and rights, and advancing justice for all in D.C.

Make no mistake: Flooding D.C. streets with federal agents and military troops is putting everyone's safety and rights at risk. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/10/27/dc-traffic-stop-shooting-dispute/

Every student in the United States has constitutional & other fundamental rights—you don’t lose your rights just because you enter a school. It's important to understand your rights & know how to defend them. And we at the ACLU-D.C. are committed to protecting students’ rights. 1/2

Considered a founder of the Trans Rights Movement, Sir Lady Java was an LA-raised drag queen, comedian, exotic dancer, & so much more. A steadfast advocate for protecting trans rights & drag, she even went to court with the ACLU to fight to protect her trans & LGBTQ+ community.

“My protest is to make sure that everyone knows that this is coming from the top. These orders are coming from an administration that seeks to use fear and tactics to make sure their power extends to branches of government where it doesn’t belong.” https://wapo.st/4o5QHgI

ICYMI: Maryland Transit Administration is offering furloughed federal workers free rides on commuter buses and MARC trains for the duration of the government shutdown: https://bit.ly/4ngyXxV

Let's make one thing very clear: The right to read is protected under the First Amendment, and that right doesn't go away in prison.

“We need to fight back,” Carballo said. “We need to be resilient. We need to stand up for our rights and, of course, right now, it’s very difficult. But we know that we will overcome.” https://wtop.com/dc/2025/10/dc-area-immigrants-face-challenges-under-trump-administration/

BREAKING NEWS: Today, on behalf of D.C. resident Sam O’Hara, we’re suing an Ohio National Guard member and four Metropolitan Police Department officers for violating his constitutional rights and D.C. law—simply for playing a song. 🧵

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is warning that the National Guard could be in D.C. through at least summer of 2026. Let's be clear: the people of D.C. never wanted this. Without statehood, the people's will is being violated by presidential and congressional overreach. 1/2

NOW HIRING: Policy Counsel/Policy Advisor to engage in local policy advocacy across the entire range of civil liberties and rights issues. 📍Hybrid (D.C.) 💰 $80,000-$100,000 📝 Apply today: https://www.acludc.org/jobs/policy-counsel-policy-advisor/

Starting this week, Capital Area Food Bank is providing free food assistance to furloughed federal workers & contractors struggling to make ends meet because of the government shutdown. Simply show your government work I.D. & stock up on shelf-stable items & fresh produce.

Are you an attorney passionate about defending civil liberties and civil rights? We're hiring a Staff Attorney to investigate, research, develop, and pursue civil liberties and rights impact litigation across a wide range of issues. Apply today: https://www.acludc.org/jobs/staff-attorney-two-year/

A key organizer of the Civil Rights Movement and activist for LGBTQ+ rights & economic justice, Bayard Rustin championed the importance of we, the people’s participation in forging a just democracy. We all have a duty to carry on the work of building a better world for everyone.

Tens of thousands of people took to D.C. streets to reject Pres. Trump's abuses of power. Today, tomorrow & every day after we must all continue working together to make one thing very clear: power belongs to the people & we the people *will* hold the people in power accountable.

Joining us tomorrow as we peacefully protest President Trump's escalating abuses of power? Make sure to know your rights before you hit the streets. We won't let the Trump administration attack our rights or our communities. We keep each other safe.

Throughout history, LGBTQ+ activists have tirelessly fought to secure the rights of & justice for LGBTQ+ people across the country, & the world, uplifting all of us in the process by building a more just and joyful world. This LGBTQ+ History Month, we honor & celebrate these trailblazers.

🗓️ Tuesday, October 21: Capital Pride Alliance and the DC Office for LGBTQ Affairs are hosting a special conversation on the past, present and future of the DC LGBTQ+ community. Get your tickets while supplies last: www.eventbrite.com/e/protest-li... @capitalpridedc.bsky.social @dclgbtq.bsky.social

As the president escalates his abuses of power, ACLU-D.C. exec director Monica Hopkins wants to remind everyone: No matter which federal agent you encounter your rights remain the same. 1/2 Hear more about your rights from Monica: https://www.unitedshestands.com/p/trumps-takeover-and-dcs-fight-for

This Saturday, October 18, we’re exercising our right to dissent and taking to the streets. We won’t back down from fighting President Trump’s escalating abuses of power. Join us: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/838822/?utm_source=aclu

Reminder: The EEOC is closed during the government shutdown. If you work in D.C., you can still file discrimination complaints with the D.C. Office of Human Rights for issues in employment, housing, education & public accommodations: https://ohr.dc.gov/

APPLY NOW: We're hiring for two new positions! 1/2 We're seeking candidates for a staff attorney to investigate, research, develop, and pursue civil liberties & civil rights impact litigation across the entire range of civil rights and liberties issues: https://www.acludc.org/jobs/

Encounters with law enforcement of any kind can be stressful and scary. It's important to remain calm and prioritize your safety: https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/encountering-law-enforcement-and-military-troops-in-d-c/

This Indigenous Peoples' Day—and every day—we honor the culture, heritage, & resilience of our Native American communities. We will continue to fight to defend their fundamental rights to vote, speak & protest freely, & live free from discrimination & government abuse of power.

Banned Books Week or not, we will never stop fighting efforts to make sure Americans have the right to say, think, read, and write whatever they want without fear of government reprisal or interference.

As an author and educator, Gabriela Mistral was a vocal champion for human rights and democracy, speaking out to uplift and defend women, children, and the poor. We celebrate those who ceaselessly advocate for the most vulnerable among us.

The president has gone too far. But let's be very clear: we won’t be intimidated into silence by these heavy-handed tactics. Tell your representatives to respect D.C. local governance. Respect the people’s will: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/hands-off-dc-action

All young people deserve the right to read & learn about the history, experiences & viewpoints of all our communities in this country. Calls to limit access to books not only suppress the subject matter; they also disregard the lived experiences & identities of authors & readers.

Join our team! We’re seeking passionate, adaptive & creative candidates for a Digital Communications Strategist / Senior Digital Communications Strategist position on our Communications team. 📍Hybrid (D.C.) 💰 $75,000-$95,000 📝 Apply today: https://acludc.bamboohr.com/careers/50

The power of the people is stronger than the people in power. Join us Oct. 18 in peaceful protest of the Trump administration’s attack on our rights and communities. RSVP for the No Kings protest in D.C.: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/838822/?utm_source=aclu