Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States of America and is seen in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare[]
In the mission "All In", it is revealed that Washington D.C. is one of several cities targeted by the ICBMs.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2[]
After Russian forces invaded the Eastern Seaboard of the United States in retaliation for the massacre at an airport in Russia, supposedly done by an American but actually committed by Makarov as part of a false-flag operation, the city was turned into a battleground. Russian forces were overwhelming the Americans and a mass evacuation was in effect, with the Washington Monument being used as an evacuation point for troops. The Washington Monument, the White House, the World War II memorial and many other D.C. landmarks were damaged by enemy fire.
Private Ramirez, Corporal Dunn, and Sergeant Foley were tasked to hold back the enemy and prevent the Washington Memorial evacuation zone from being taken by enemy forces. A large number of Russians were attacking the evacuation zone from the World War II Memorial, while numerous anti-aircraft batteries were placed on the roof of the Department of Justice building. Soon after defending the evacuation point, they were evacuated by helicopter, but were shot down by the aforementioned SAM batteries. They survived the crash and held back enemy forces converging onto the crashed chopper. At that moment, a nuclear ICBM launched by Captain Price exploded right over the East Coast, knocking out every electronic device, vehicle and aircraft.
After escaping falling wreckage of both American and Russian aircraft, the Rangers crept past Russian patrols and were given a message from Colonel Marshall to meet at Whiskey Hotel for a counterattack. They fight their way to the Eisenhower building before discovering the entrance to the heavily damaged Presidential Bunker.
Believing that the Russians have taken over Washington D.C., the military chose the option to flatten the entire capital instead of letting it fall to enemy hands, known in game as the Hammerdown Protocol. The strike will be canceled if troops deploy green flares to show that they're still active. The American troops are called to assemble at Whiskey Hotel, a.k.a. the White House. Being one of the few buildings hardened against EMPs, the Rangers were able to receive the radio message stating the Hammerdown Protocol, giving them barely enough time to respond. After a fight through the damaged building, Ramirez and Foley deployed green flares on the roof of the White House, along with several other troops around the city, averting the strike, saving themselves, and the capital.
Levels of Reference in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2[]
Call of Duty: Black Ops[]
In Call of Duty: Black Ops, Washington D.C. was planned to be invaded by Dragovich's Nova Six sleeper cells but was saved by the Black Ops team. It was also one of the intended targets for the original Nova-6 weapon, as shown in "Project Nova".
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3[]
During cutscenes for levels "Dust to Dust" and "Iron Lady", the White House and the National World War II Memorial can be briefly seen being repaired from damage sustained during the events of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II[]
Washington D.C. briefly seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
In Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Washington D.C. is briefly seen during the mission "Judgment Day" on a monitor showing drones being destroyed. And Washington D.C's "White House" can be seen burnt down if the player chooses to kill Raul Menendez in the ending.