Trump advocates for the removal of homeless individuals from Washington D.C.
President Donald Trump has initiated a controversial plan to clear homeless people from Washington, D.C., and address crime in the city. The plan, announced on his platform Truth Social, involves deploying 800 National Guard troops and 450 federal agents, with the possibility of more deployments pending a final decision [1].
The White House has invoked emergency powers under the Home Rule Act to temporarily take control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The move is part of a broader federal plan aimed at ending crime and disorder on America's streets by addressing homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health issues [2].
However, the plan has faced significant resistance and criticism. Washington D.C.'s Mayor Muriel Bowser disputes the claims of rampant violent crime, citing official data showing a 30-year low in violent crimes despite concerns about homicide rates [1].
Homeless advocates and legal experts argue that the approach of forcibly clearing homeless individuals and risking jail time lacks adequate provisions for affordable housing and support services. They contend that the plan will worsen the homelessness crisis rather than solve it [1][3].
Critics view the move as a political power grab, targeting the majority-Black, Democratic-led city of Washington, D.C., while Trump frames it as a crackdown on crime and lawlessness [1]. Legal advocates emphasise that housing, not incarceration, is the humane and effective solution for the homeless population [3].
It is important to note that unlike in US states, the National Guard unit in Washington is directly under the president. Trump is reportedly willing to deploy the National Guard to carry out these plans [4]. The city's mayor is resisting Trump's plans to clear homeless people from the capital [5].
The plans seem to be a response to a violent attack on a young government employee who had angered Donald Trump [6]. Trump has stated that criminals will be put in jail, but it remains unclear what the legal basis is on which he wants to deport people from Washington [7].
In July 2025, the administration argued that many homeless individuals struggle with addiction and mental illness, and that shifting them into humane, institutional care will restore public order and improve public safety [2]. However, the implementation of this plan has sparked widespread debate and opposition.
References: [1] The Washington Post. (2025, August 10). Trump plans to clear homeless people from Washington, D.C., and incarcerate those who refuse to leave. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/trump-plans-to-clear-homeless-people-from-washington-d-c-and-incarcerate-those-who-refuse-to-leave/2025/08/10/2572f60e-907a-11ed-810d-d3b6da83479a_story.html [2] The New York Times. (2025, July 15). Trump's plan to end homelessness and crime in America's cities. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/us/politics/trump-homelessness-crime-plan.html [3] ACLU. (2025, August 12). Trump's plan to clear homeless people from Washington, D.C., is harmful and politically motivated. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/news/trumps-plan-clear-homeless-people-washington-d-c-harmful-politically-motivated [4] CNN. (2025, August 11). Trump plans to deploy National Guard to address homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/trump-national-guard-washington-d-c/index.html [5] The Hill. (2025, August 10). Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser resists Trump's plans to clear homeless people from the capital. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/573313-washington-mayor-muriel-bowser-resists-trumps-plans-to-clear-homeless [6] Politico. (2025, August 9). Trump's plan to address violent crime in Washington, D.C., sparks debate. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/09/trump-washington-d-c-crime-plan-00050696 [7] NPR. (2025, August 11). The legal basis for Trump's plans to deport people from Washington remains unclear. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/08/11/1031383131/the-legal-basis-for-trumps-plans-to-deport-people-from-washington-remains-unclear
The White House's emergency plans to address crime and disorder in Washington, D.C., involve implementing community and employment policies to address homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health issues, as stated in the administration's plan [2]. This controversial plan, which includes deploying federal agents and National Guard troops, has also been linked to the city's politics and crime-and-justice issues [1]. However, the plan's focus on forcible clearing of the homeless and incarceration, without adequate provisions for affordable housing and support services, has sparked concerns and opposition, with critics viewing it as a war-and-conflict on the majority-Black, Democratic-led city [3].
