Press Releases

ACLU-D.C. lawyers and advocates are among the nation's leading experts on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms. They are regularly sought out by leading broadcast, print and online media to lend an essential voice to the conversation about some of the most important issues facing the nation and the District. For all press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Mar 15, 2025

ACLU and Democracy Forward Sue Trump Administration Over Expected Invocation of Alien Enemies Act

The American Civil Liberties Union, Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration today over the president’s expected unlawful and unprecedented invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. 
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 14, 2025

Court Rejects U.S. Bid to Dismiss Claims over Federal Officers’ 2020 Lafayette Square attack on Civil Rights Demonstrators 

The federal district court in Washington denied the federal government’s motion to dismiss claims against the United States over the actions of federal Park Police, Secret Service, and other agency officers who beat and gassed peaceful civil rights demonstrators at Lafayette Square.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 07, 2025

Advocates Sue to Challenge Withholding of Gender-Affirming Care in Federal Prisons

“The Trump administration's decision to deny gender-affirming care approved by its own doctors is unconstitutional and part of a broader campaign to push trans people out of public life. Trans people deserve access to critical medical care like everyone else."
Mar 04, 2025

ACLU-D.C. responds to Metropolitan Police Department's Reinstatement of Two Convicted Officers

The Metropolitan Police Department’s decision to reinstate police officers who were convicted for their roles in a murder and cover-up is an affront to public safety in the District.
Mar 01, 2025

Groups Sue Trump Administration to Halt Transfer of Immigrants from U.S. to Guantánamo Bay

Immigrants’ rights advocates sued the Trump administration today to halt the transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo Bay in Cuba under President Trump’s recent order.
Feb 12, 2025

Groups Sue Trump Administration for Access to Immigrants Sent from U.S. to Guantánamo Bay

Immigrants’ rights advocates sued the Trump administration for access to immigrants transferred from the United States to detention at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba under President Trump’s recent order.
Feb 07, 2025

ACLU Urges Congress to Prevent Illegal Mass Layoff of Federal Workers

“We need today’s Congress to step up to protect our merit-based, nonpartisan civil service, and to prevent Trump’s latest attempt to hijack the federal government for his own political ends.”
Feb 07, 2025

Proposed Bill to Overturn D.C. Home Rule is a Direct Attack on American Democracy and States’ Rights

“It is deeply inefficient for Congress to spend their time on whether people can turn right on red lights in D.C. or on how the trash gets picked up in our neighborhoods. Micromanaging D.C. is not anything that voters elected Members of Congress to accomplish.”
Feb 04, 2025

ACLU-D.C. Sends Letter to U.S. Attorney Martin for First Amendment Concerns in Letter to Elon Musk

ACLU-D.C. sent a letter in response to U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr.‘s February 3 letter to Elon Musk outlining our concerns that threatening legal action against those who merely criticize or challenge DOGE employees undermines free speech.