Homeless individuals must be relocated a significant distance from Washington, according to Trump's statement.
President Trump's Controversial Plans for Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has announced a hardline approach to addressing homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C., with a focus on law enforcement and institutionalization of homeless individuals. The plan, which has been met with criticism from local leaders and advocacy groups, involves the deployment of 800 National Guard troops and hundreds of federal agents to supplement local police forces.
Trump has invoked emergency powers under the Home Rule Act to temporarily take control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, citing concerns about violent gangs, criminals, and homeless encampments taking over the city. He has also ordered homeless people to leave Washington immediately.
The administration's executive order aims to treat homelessness and associated mental illnesses as criminal issues, thereby expanding police and institutional responses to homelessness rather than housing solutions. The policy prioritizes funding for states that criminalize homelessness and cuts support for harm-reduction programs.
This approach focuses on shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings through civil commitment, positioning it as a strategy to restore public order and safety. Critics argue that these measures worsen the homelessness crisis and are politically motivated. They point to data indicating a 30-year low in violent crime in D.C. and emphasize that homelessness needs stable housing and healthcare support rather than criminalization or forced treatment.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has been vocal in her opposition to Trump's plans, stating that any comparison of Washington to a war-torn country is hyperbolic and false. She has also stressed that the city is not experiencing a crime spike.
In response to the plan, Trump has stated that criminals in the city will be swiftly imprisoned, and he will provide places for the homeless to stay, but they will be located "far from the Capital."
The city of Washington was ranked 15th on a list of major U.S. cities by homeless population, according to government statistics from last year. Thousands of people spend each night in shelters or on the streets in Washington, but the figures are down from pre-pandemic levels.
Trump's plans have sparked significant controversy and opposition, with many questioning the effectiveness of a law enforcement-focused approach to homelessness and crime. The future of these plans remains uncertain as the debate continues.
[1] New York Times, "Trump Plans to Send National Guard to Washington, D.C., as Part of Crackdown on Crime," 2025. [2] Washington Post, "Trump's Plans for Washington, D.C., Raise Concerns About Homelessness and Civil Rights," 2025. [3] NBC News, "Trump's Homelessness Plan Criticized as Worsening Crisis," 2025.
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