- How what’s happening in D.C. could become the playbook for the rest of the country
- Why federal interference in D.C. should worry anyone who cares about local control
- What voters actually need to watch for in the 2026 election before these tactics spread
- How D.C. is being used to test policies that impact immigrant rights, LGBTQ protections, and criminal justice and why that matters for every state
What do you think? Can we make this happen?
Monica Hopkins has served as the executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia (ACLU-DC) since 2014, where she oversees critical advocacy efforts defending constitutional rights for over 700,000 District residents. As the organization's principal spokesperson, she has become a trusted voice in national conversations on civil liberties, frequently featured in major media outlets including the Washington Post, the New York Times, NPR, and Politico.
Before leading the ACLU-DC, Monica directed the ACLU of Idaho from 2008 to 2014, where she championed transformative statewide victories in criminal justice reform, LGBTQIA equality, immigrants' rights, and First Amendment protections. Her extensive nonprofit leadership background positions her uniquely to address today's most pressing civil rights challenges.
A graduate of Boise State University and 2012–2013 Rockwood Institute LGBT Advocacy Fellow, Monica also serves on the board of the National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens, demonstrating her commitment to justice beyond her executive role.
