Washington, D.C.
League of Women Voters Education Fund v. Trump
On March 25, 2025, in a sweeping and unprecedented Executive Order, President Trump attempted to usurp the power to regulate federal elections from Congress and the States. Among other things, the Executive Order directs the Election Assistance Commission—an agency that Congress specifically established to be bipartisan and independent—to require voters to show a passport or other citizenship documentation in order to register to vote in federal elections. If implemented, the Executive Order would threaten the ability of millions of eligible Americans to register and vote and upend the administration of federal elections.
On behalf of leading voter registration organizations and advocacy organizations, the ACLU and co-counsel filed a lawsuit to block the Executive Order as an unconstitutional power grab.
Status: Ongoing
View Case
Visit ACLU of the District of Columbia
Featured
Washington, D.C.
Jun 2019
Human Rights
Weir v. U.S.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in June 2019 against the United States and the head of the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of four Jamaican fishermen, who were forcibly removed from their fishing boat and detained for over a month at sea on four U.S. Coast Guard ships in patently inhumane conditions.
All Cases
22 Washington, D.C. Cases
Washington, D.C.
Jul 2026
LGBTQ Rights
Withrow v. United States et al.
A civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard filed a class action lawsuit in federal court challenging a Trump-Vance administration policy prohibiting transgender and intersex federal employees from using restrooms aligned with their gender.
Explore case
Washington, D.C.
Jul 2026
LGBTQ Rights
Withrow v. United States et al.
A civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard filed a class action lawsuit in federal court challenging a Trump-Vance administration policy prohibiting transgender and intersex federal employees from using restrooms aligned with their gender.
Washington, D.C.
Jul 2026
LGBTQ Rights
Kingdom v. Trump
Three transgender people currently incarcerated in federal custody have filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) challenging an Executive Order and new BOP policies prohibiting their access to gender-affirming care. The class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., on behalf of approximately 2,000 transgender people incarcerated in federal prisons across the United States.
Explore case
Washington, D.C.
Jul 2026
LGBTQ Rights
Kingdom v. Trump
Three transgender people currently incarcerated in federal custody have filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) challenging an Executive Order and new BOP policies prohibiting their access to gender-affirming care. The class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., on behalf of approximately 2,000 transgender people incarcerated in federal prisons across the United States.
Washington, D.C.
May 2026
Voting Rights
Common Cause v. U.S. Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an unprecedented and unlawful effort to invade the privacy of millions of American voters and threaten their right to vote. It has demanded that every state and the District of Columbia turn over their entire voter database, including Social Security Numbers, political party affiliation, and voter participation history. And at least a dozen states have complied, submitting their voters’ information for federal review. But the Department of Justice has no authority to dictate when a voter registration should be cancelled, and we are suing to stop the federal government’s overreach and ensure that voters’ information remains secure and free from unlawful interference.
Explore case
Washington, D.C.
May 2026
Voting Rights
Common Cause v. U.S. Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an unprecedented and unlawful effort to invade the privacy of millions of American voters and threaten their right to vote. It has demanded that every state and the District of Columbia turn over their entire voter database, including Social Security Numbers, political party affiliation, and voter participation history. And at least a dozen states have complied, submitting their voters’ information for federal review. But the Department of Justice has no authority to dictate when a voter registration should be cancelled, and we are suing to stop the federal government’s overreach and ensure that voters’ information remains secure and free from unlawful interference.
Washington, D.C.
May 2026
Immigrants' Rights
J.G.G. v. TRUMP
Emergency lawsuit filed in federal court to halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act.
Explore case
Washington, D.C.
May 2026
Immigrants' Rights
J.G.G. v. TRUMP
Emergency lawsuit filed in federal court to halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act.
Washington, D.C.
Apr 2026
Immigrants' Rights
Gibson Brown v. Mullin
This lawsuit challenges DHS’ policy of authorizing agents to enter homes without judicially signed warrants.
Explore case
Washington, D.C.
Apr 2026
Immigrants' Rights
Gibson Brown v. Mullin
This lawsuit challenges DHS’ policy of authorizing agents to enter homes without judicially signed warrants.