A More Perfect District Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/a-more-perfect-district A More Perfect District is a podcast from the ACLU of D.C. focused on the civil rights and civil liberties issues shaping Washington, D.C. We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it will take to protect our rights. Our work spans the courts, the legislature, and the street, all aimed at building a more just and free D.C. © 2026 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 8b3e7903-81ea-5b0d-9e74-1bc8db1d34f0 yes en Mon, 09 Nov 2026 08:00:39 -0800 Mon, 09 Nov 2026 08:02:41 -0800 https://img.transistorcdn.com/crN1JgUfC0OSNmqC6VzOQWNL9Oe3d7kPCaP4nJJK8Rs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82Yjlh/MDQ0ZmQ1ZDc3YzQw/NjdmNmExZmY0NTg2/YWIyNi5wbmc.jpg A More Perfect District episodic American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia A More Perfect District is a podcast from the ACLU of D.C. focused on the civil rights and civil liberties issues shaping Washington, D.C. We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it will take to protect our rights. Our work spans the courts, the legislature, and the street, all aimed at building a more just and free D.C. A More Perfect District is a podcast from the ACLU of D.C. American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia No No Taking the Trump Administration to Court 1 1 9 9 Taking the Trump Administration to Court full b4cc39f0-23a9-42ec-a2c2-36865731dd74 https://share.transistor.fm/s/bfecf801 The Trump administration has tested the limits of presidential power. ACLU-D.C. has been fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-D.C. Senior Development Officer Michael Walker sits down with Legal Director Scott Michelman to unpack some of ACLU-D.C.’s biggest legal challenges to the administration, what they’ve learned from taking the federal government to court, and what these fights mean for the future of our rights and democracy.

]]> The Trump administration has tested the limits of presidential power. ACLU-D.C. has been fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-D.C. Senior Development Officer Michael Walker sits down with Legal Director Scott Michelman to unpack some of ACLU-D.C.’s biggest legal challenges to the administration, what they’ve learned from taking the federal government to court, and what these fights mean for the future of our rights and democracy.

]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2026 08:00:00 -0800 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 1550 The Trump administration has tested the limits of presidential power. ACLU-D.C. has been fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-D.C. Senior Development Officer Michael Walker sits down with Legal Director Scott Michelman to unpack some of ACLU-D.C.’s biggest legal challenges to the administration, what they’ve learned from taking the federal government to court, and what these fights mean for the future of our rights and democracy.

]]> Trump administration, Trump administration lawsuits, ACLU Trump administration, ACLU lawsuits against Trump, presidential power, limits of presidential power, executive power, limits on executive power, constitutional rights, civil liberties, government accountability, suing the federal government, ACLU lawsuits, ACLU DC, A More Perfect District No Protecting Our Immigrant Neighbors in D.C. 1 1 8 8 Protecting Our Immigrant Neighbors in D.C. full dc446f19-7b76-4b7a-b577-7719ec45e62d https://share.transistor.fm/s/662628a9 As federal immigration enforcement has intensified in D.C., immigrant communities and their allies are organizing, supporting one another, and fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, Andrea Ramos speaks with Madhvi Bahl from the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network and ACLU-D.C. Staff Attorney Aditi Shah about what is happening on D.C.’s streets and in the courts, what immigrants should know about their rights, and how community solidarity can help protect our neighbors.

]]> As federal immigration enforcement has intensified in D.C., immigrant communities and their allies are organizing, supporting one another, and fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, Andrea Ramos speaks with Madhvi Bahl from the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network and ACLU-D.C. Staff Attorney Aditi Shah about what is happening on D.C.’s streets and in the courts, what immigrants should know about their rights, and how community solidarity can help protect our neighbors.

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 2693 As federal immigration enforcement has intensified in D.C., immigrant communities and their allies are organizing, supporting one another, and fighting back. In this episode of A More Perfect District, Andrea Ramos speaks with Madhvi Bahl from the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network and ACLU-D.C. Staff Attorney Aditi Shah about what is happening on D.C.’s streets and in the courts, what immigrants should know about their rights, and how community solidarity can help protect our neighbors.

]]> immigrant rights, immigrant rights DC, DC immigration, immigration enforcement DC, ICE in Washington DC, ICE enforcement, immigration raids, immigration raids DC, know your rights immigration, immigrant know your rights, ICE know your rights, immigrant legal rights, protecting immigrant communities, ACLU immigrant rights, ACLU DC, A More Perfect District No Federal Agents Aren’t Above the Law 1 1 7 7 Federal Agents Aren’t Above the Law full 80fcc5be-2fd8-4833-9978-33fc95c2d602 https://share.transistor.fm/s/06a4c736 No one should be above the law, including federal law enforcement. Yet when federal agents violate people’s constitutional rights, holding them accountable can be extraordinarily difficult. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-DC Paralegal & Intake Coordinator Ameerah Adetoro talks with Legal Director Scott Michelman about the barriers that can make it difficult to hold federal officers accountable, why accountability matters for protecting all of our rights, and what we can do to push for change.

]]> No one should be above the law, including federal law enforcement. Yet when federal agents violate people’s constitutional rights, holding them accountable can be extraordinarily difficult. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-DC Paralegal & Intake Coordinator Ameerah Adetoro talks with Legal Director Scott Michelman about the barriers that can make it difficult to hold federal officers accountable, why accountability matters for protecting all of our rights, and what we can do to push for change.

]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 1454 No one should be above the law, including federal law enforcement. Yet when federal agents violate people’s constitutional rights, holding them accountable can be extraordinarily difficult. In this episode of A More Perfect District, ACLU-DC Paralegal & Intake Coordinator Ameerah Adetoro talks with Legal Director Scott Michelman about the barriers that can make it difficult to hold federal officers accountable, why accountability matters for protecting all of our rights, and what we can do to push for change.

]]> federal agents, federal law enforcement, federal agent accountability, can you sue federal agents, can federal agents be sued, federal law enforcement accountability, federal agents constitutional rights, federal officer misconduct, police accountability, constitutional rights, civil rights violations, ACLU, ACLU DC, A More Perfect District No Inside the D.C. Council: How Local Change Happens 1 1 6 6 Inside the D.C. Council: How Local Change Happens full b1a65b2c-7b1c-4773-9a15-7bf852de39e6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7d54c57f The D.C. Council makes decisions that affect nearly every aspect of life in the District, from civil rights protections to funding for essential services. But how does the Council actually work, and how can residents influence its decisions? 

Monica Hopkins, Executive Director at ACLU-D.C. sits down with Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director at the ACLU-D.C. and Katharine Landfield, Senior Advocacy Strategist at Fair Budget Coalition for a conversation about the legislative and budget process, common misconceptions about local government, and the many ways District residents can advocate for change. Whether you're new to civic engagement or looking to become more involved, this episode offers a practical guide to participating in D.C.'s democracy.

]]> The D.C. Council makes decisions that affect nearly every aspect of life in the District, from civil rights protections to funding for essential services. But how does the Council actually work, and how can residents influence its decisions? 

Monica Hopkins, Executive Director at ACLU-D.C. sits down with Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director at the ACLU-D.C. and Katharine Landfield, Senior Advocacy Strategist at Fair Budget Coalition for a conversation about the legislative and budget process, common misconceptions about local government, and the many ways District residents can advocate for change. Whether you're new to civic engagement or looking to become more involved, this episode offers a practical guide to participating in D.C.'s democracy.

]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:30:00 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 2108 The D.C. Council makes decisions that affect nearly every aspect of life in the District, from civil rights protections to funding for essential services. But how does the Council actually work, and how can residents influence its decisions? 

Monica Hopkins, Executive Director at ACLU-D.C. sits down with Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director at the ACLU-D.C. and Katharine Landfield, Senior Advocacy Strategist at Fair Budget Coalition for a conversation about the legislative and budget process, common misconceptions about local government, and the many ways District residents can advocate for change. Whether you're new to civic engagement or looking to become more involved, this episode offers a practical guide to participating in D.C.'s democracy.

]]> DC Council, DC Budget No D.C.’s Fight for Self-Government 1 1 5 5 D.C.’s Fight for Self-Government full ee2d082c-506e-4f6a-98ca-42e18f05a284 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e0109699 In this episode, we discuss the impact of D.C. Home Rule and the future of D.C. statehood. Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Melissa Wasser, Sr. Policy Counsel, to discuss the history of Home Rule and how protecting Home Rule is protecting democracy. 

Later, Yass is joined by Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director of Free DC. Here they discuss why D.C. needs Statehood, how Congress has a history of deciding the fate of D.C. and its residents, and the journey for equal representation for D.C. residents.

]]> In this episode, we discuss the impact of D.C. Home Rule and the future of D.C. statehood. Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Melissa Wasser, Sr. Policy Counsel, to discuss the history of Home Rule and how protecting Home Rule is protecting democracy. 

Later, Yass is joined by Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director of Free DC. Here they discuss why D.C. needs Statehood, how Congress has a history of deciding the fate of D.C. and its residents, and the journey for equal representation for D.C. residents.

]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:51:40 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 2862 In this episode, we discuss the impact of D.C. Home Rule and the future of D.C. statehood. Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Melissa Wasser, Sr. Policy Counsel, to discuss the history of Home Rule and how protecting Home Rule is protecting democracy. 

Later, Yass is joined by Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director of Free DC. Here they discuss why D.C. needs Statehood, how Congress has a history of deciding the fate of D.C. and its residents, and the journey for equal representation for D.C. residents.

]]> No Powering Real Public Safety 1 1 4 4 Powering Real Public Safety full 210db46a-2bb9-47b5-8719-5560380df350 https://share.transistor.fm/s/afeea35a In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. 

Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration 


Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

]]> In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. 

Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration 


Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:04:38 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 2045 In this episode, we cover what you need to know about the public safety issues impacting our District. 

Host Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, is joined by Peggy Ramin, Policy Counsel, to discuss what real public safety looks like and how D.C. leaders can uplift prevention, instead of over-relying on policing and incarceration 


Later, Yass is joined by James Carpenter of the Free Minds Book Club. Here they discuss why D.C. needs to support reentry programs, the importance of support services to the formerly incarcerated, and what matters most to this community.

]]> civil rights, mass incarceration, public justice, D.C., DC, Washington D.C. No Satire Isn’t a Crime: Defending the Right to Protest the National Guard 1 1 3 3 Satire Isn’t a Crime: Defending the Right to Protest the National Guard full 12d1671c-cdaf-4dee-801f-3a1b534a2da9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f370e891 Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

]]> Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:10:17 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 1012 Can the Government Punish You for Mocking It?  In this episode, host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director at ACLU-D.C., sits down with our client Sam O’Hara to discuss his detention by D.C. police after he recorded National Guard members patrolling Washington, D.C., while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars. Sam shares what happened that day, why he believes his rights were violated, and what his lawsuit, O’Hara v. Beck, could mean for free speech and the right to challenge authority. 

]]> First Amendment, free speech, right to protest, National Guard, protected speech, political satire, protesting, DC, Washington DC, ACLU, Sam Ohara No The Power to Protest 1 1 2 2 The Power to Protest full d0edc0fe-222c-4591-9ef0-8a2ad5500983 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dbdbb48b In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.


Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

]]> In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.


Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:06:46 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 1110 In this episode, we cover why protesting in D.C. is powerful, and what people need to know as they take to the streets.


Host Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU-D.C., is joined by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, to talk about the history of protest in D.C., the rights of protesters, why protest is needed for a healthy democracy.

]]> No Your Vote is Your Power - Inside Ranked Choice Voting and the D.C. Primary Election 1 1 1 1 Your Vote is Your Power - Inside Ranked Choice Voting and the D.C. Primary Election full 11ed709f-857b-4ff7-8bfe-461130a503b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b967824b In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. 

We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully. 

]]> In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. 

We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully. 

]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 05:20:39 -0700 American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia Watch on YouTube American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia 3155 In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election. 

We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully. 

]]> voting, 2026 election, ranked choice voting, rcv, ranked-choice voting, DC election, voting rights No