Trump Demands Homeless Leave Washington DC in Crime Crackdown
Trump demands homeless leave Washington DC immediately, unveiling a controversial plan aimed at reducing crime and restoring the capital’s image. The former president announced his intentions on Truth Social, declaring that people without housing will be moved “far from the Capital” into designated facilities.
This move comes after Trump signed an order last month making it easier to arrest homeless individuals. He recently deployed over 450 federal officers from agencies including the FBI, DEA, and US Marshals Service into the city. According to Reuters, Trump is also considering sending National Guard troops, although no final decision has been made.
Why Trump Demands Homeless Leave Washington DC
The decision follows an incident in which a 19-year-old former government worker was injured during an attempted carjacking. Trump used the case to highlight what he described as “totally out of control” crime levels.
In a 2022 speech, he suggested relocating homeless individuals to “high quality” tent communities on inexpensive land outside urban areas, with bathrooms and medical staff available. The current plan appears to echo that proposal.
Mayor Muriel Bowser disputes the need for such measures. She points to federal data showing that Washington DC’s overall violent crime in 2024 has dropped to its lowest in 30 years. She criticized comparisons made by Trump allies who likened the city to Baghdad, calling the statement “hyperbolic and false.”
Homelessness in DC and Federal Power Limits
The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness estimates about 3,782 homeless residents in DC, with around 800 living on the streets. Most are in shelters or public housing.
As a federal district, Washington DC gives the president certain powers over federal lands and buildings, but full control over local law enforcement would require congressional approval. Bowser insists Trump cannot take over the Metropolitan Police Department under current law.
In recent days, he has threatened to take over the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, which Bowser argued was not possible.
“There are very specific things in our law that would allow the president to have more control over our police department,” Bowser said. “None of those conditions exist in our city right now.”
Trump has been critical of various Democratic-run city administrations during his two presidential terms.
In recent months, he has notably clashed with the Los Angeles leadership after ordering thousands of National Guard members to deal with unrest over raids on undocumented migrants.
That deployment became the subject of a legal battle which will reach a federal court in California on Monday.
Trump’s press conference is scheduled for Monday, where he will outline his broader plan to fight crime and “physically renovate” the city. This is not the first time he has clashed with Democratic-led cities. Recently, he deployed thousands of National Guard members to Los Angeles during unrest over immigration raids, a move that sparked a legal battle.
Broader Political Implications
Trump’s stance taps into a long-standing political divide over how to address homelessness in major cities. Supporters argue his approach could restore public order, while critics see it as criminalizing poverty.
The outcome of his DC initiative may set a precedent for how future administrations handle urban homelessness. You can read more in this BBC coverage of Trump’s DC plan and in our Wil-News politics section.
