Is the Power in Our Hands? Federalization and the Struggle for Justice in DC

Over the past few months, Washington, DC has faced an unprecedented wave of federal interventions into its local justice system. This panel will examine the consequences of federalization and its implications for the future of justice in the District. Tracy Velázquez (Council for Court Excellence) will discuss policy research and advocacy, Liz Komar (The Sentencing Project) will highlight how federal actions intersect with ongoing reform efforts, and Alex Koma (WAMU/NPR) will provide a journalist’s perspective on the politics and narratives shaping public perception and policy. Together, they will explore the tensions between federal power and local autonomy, the risks of punitive policymaking, and the possibilities for evidence-based, community-centered approaches to justice in DC.