President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate removal of homeless individuals from Washington, D.C., vowing to make the U.S. capital “more beautiful and safe.”
On Truth Social Sunday, Trump reaffirmed plans for a White House press conference on Monday, saying, “We will make our Capital safer and more beautiful than ever before. The homeless must move out immediately. We will provide alternative housing, but far from the Capital. Criminals will not be relocated, they will be jailed.”
The president likened the plan to his immigration crackdown, claiming, “It will happen very fast. We went from millions crossing the border to zero in months. This will be easier. No ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ here, we want our Capital back.”
Trump’s pledge comes despite Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser stating the city is not facing a recent crime surge. She noted that violent crime in 2025 dropped 26% compared with the same period in 2024, and overall crime declined by 7%.
Speaking on MSNBC, Bowser acknowledged a spike in 2023 but emphasized, “This is not 2023. We’ve spent two years driving violent crime to a 30-year low.”
Trump, however, insists additional law enforcement is necessary. A White House official confirmed that the administration deployed more federal officers to D.C. after a reported attempted carjacking involving a Trump staffer.
The Community Partnership, a nonprofit addressing homelessness in the city, reports about 3,782 people experience homelessness nightly in Washington. Around 800 are unsheltered, while the majority are in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
Trump’s weekend posts featured images of tents and garbage along D.C. streets, signaling his intent to clear encampments rapidly.
Legal and Political Considerations
Under U.S. law, the president controls only federal lands and buildings in D.C. Any attempt to take broader control of the city would likely require congressional action. Congress, which oversees the capital’s budget, would have to revoke current laws allowing local governance.
Bowser confirmed she met Trump recently to discuss cooperation with federal agencies and noted the president has authority to call in the National Guard, a power previously used during protests.
Trump’s proposed actions, if implemented, could reshape the capital’s streets and intensify debates over homelessness, crime, and federal versus local authority.
