Trump posted a photo of me sitting by my tent - then a bulldozer arrived

August 16, 2025

President Donald Trump initiated a crackdown on homeless encampments in Washington DC after posting photos of tents he saw while driving to his golf club. The removal operation targeted a specific encampment where Bill Theodie, a 66-year-old Missouri native who was featured in Trump's social media post, had been living for years. Following Trump's announcement, city authorities rapidly cleared the site, forcing residents to leave with minimal notice, while the White House stated it would offer shelter and services to displaced individuals.

Who is affected

Bill Theodie, a 66-year-old construction worker from Missouri who was photographed by Trump
George Morgan, a 65-year-old DC resident who had been living at the encampment for two months
11 people living at this specific encampment, described as the largest in the city
The broader population of approximately 800 unsheltered homeless individuals in Washington DC
The estimated 5,138 people experiencing homelessness in the city this year

What action is being taken

City authorities are removing homeless encampments across Washington DC with expedited timelines
Officials are using bulldozers to dismantle tents and belongings left behind
The White House is offering to place street sleepers in homeless shelters
The administration is providing access to addiction and mental health services
Officials are threatening fines or jail time for those who refuse shelter options

Why it matters

The president is directly intervening in local homelessness issues in the nation's capital
The expedited removal process deviates from the usual procedure that provides at least a week's notice
Homeless individuals are being displaced without clear long-term housing solutions
Organizations working with homeless populations note that shelter capacity is often limited
The approach raises questions about the treatment of vulnerable populations and the effectiveness of forced relocations

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC