President Donald Trump on Sunday demanded that all homeless people vacate Washington DC immediately, promising them housing away from the capital while vowing to imprison criminals.
Trump’s Harsh Stance on Homelessness and Crime
Trump posted on Truth Social:
“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
This announcement comes despite Washington DC’s mayor insisting there is no recent spike in crime in the city.
National Guard Deployment and Federalization Fears
Details of Trump’s plan remain vague, but the administration is reportedly preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to DC, similar to actions previously taken in Los Angeles.
Unlike states where governors control National Guard deployment, the President has sole authority in DC, raising concerns that Trump may be moving toward federalizing the city. Legal experts acknowledge federalization is possible but complicated.
How Many Homeless People Are Affected?
- 3,782 single individuals experience homelessness on any given night in DC, a city with a population around 700,000, according to Community Partnership.
- The 25th annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count recorded 5,138 homeless people on one night in DC, down from 5,616 in 2024 (Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG)).
- Homelessness rose in 2022 and 2023 but declined in 2024.
- Advocates warn the real number is likely higher and that proposed FY 2026 budget cuts threaten homeless services, risking progress made.
Why Is Trump Pushing This Now?
The move follows a recent attack on Edward Coristine, a staffer at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), during a carjacking attempt on August 3. Elon Musk, former DOGE head and Trump ally, also called for federalizing DC following the incident.
