Amid United States President Donald Trump’s move to initiate a federal takeover of Washington, DC, homeless residents living in encampments were seen packing their belongings on Thursday.
A rapid response force posted a video on X showing an earth mover digging out the remains of an encampment in Washington, DC, which had already been deserted by its residents.
This decaying homeless encampment is currently being cleared and cleaned up in Washington, D.C.
President Trump promised to make our nation’s capital safe and beautiful again — and he is delivering. pic.twitter.com/EzffS8CLhd
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 14, 2025
“This decaying homeless encampment is currently being cleared and cleaned up in Washington, D.C. President Trump promised to make our nation’s capital safe and beautiful again — and he is delivering,” the post said.
The earth mover was seen scooping away the remnants of the encampment and depositing them in a nearby garbage dump.
BREAKING NEWS:
Homeless encampments are being bulldozed in Washington DC! pic.twitter.com/SWciaBO4cI
— AmericanPapaBear (@AmericaPapaBear) August 14, 2025
Trump Announces Criminal Emergency in Washington
President Trump, who declared a “criminal emergency” in Washington and took federal control of the US Capital’s police department, earlier stated that homeless individuals would be relocated far from the city as part of his crime crackdown.
“We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
While there have been no forcible removals yet, homeless residents were observed packing up near the Institute of Peace, according to the Associated Press.
Local Officials Highlight Complexity of Encampment Closures
Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage said that after the National Park Service informed the city of plans to close encampments on federal and district land, Washington officials also decided to take action.
Turnage described the closing of encampments as a “very complex process” and added that officials were “dealing with human beings who, in many cases, have been marginalized.”
“We have put a process in place that we think respects that,” AP quoted Turnage as saying.
White House Outlines Relocation and Support Plans
When asked about the relocation of homeless residents, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that local police and federal agencies would “enforce the laws that are already on the books.”
Leavitt explained that homeless individuals will be offered “the option to leave their encampment, to be taken to a homeless shelter, to be offered addiction or mental health services.” She added that refusal to comply could result in fines or jail time.
