Trump demands homeless people 'immediately' move out of Washington DC

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has announced plans to tackle homelessness and crime in Washington DC, stating that homeless people must "move out" immediately while criminals would be jailed. In response, Mayor Muriel Bowser has pushed back against White House characterizations of the city, stating that DC is not experiencing a current crime spike and has reached a 30-year low in violent crime. Trump has already ordered federal law enforcement agents into DC streets and signed an order making it easier to arrest homeless people, with up to 450 federal officers reportedly deployed last Saturday.

Who is affected

Homeless people in Washington DC (approximately 3,782 people, with about 800 "on the street")
Washington DC residents (700,000 people)
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
Federal law enforcement agencies deployed to DC (including US Park Police, DEA, FBI, and US Marshals)
Mayor Muriel Bowser and her administration

What action is being taken

Federal law enforcement agents (up to 450 officers) have been deployed to Washington DC streets
Trump has signed an order making it easier to arrest homeless people
The administration is actively considering deploying National Guard members
Trump is planning a news conference to outline his strategy for addressing crime and renovating the city

Why it matters

The dispute highlights tensions between federal and local governance in Washington DC, as the district is ultimately overseen by the federal government
The situation represents a conflict between Trump's and Bowser's characterizations of crime in the capital, with Trump describing it as "totally out of control" while Bowser points to a 30-year low in violent crime
Trump's approach to homelessness potentially impacts thousands of vulnerable residents
The situation reflects a broader pattern of conflicts between Trump and Democratic-run city administrations

What's next

Trump will hold a news conference at the White House on Monday at 10:00 EDT to outline his plans to address crime and the "physical renovation" of Washington DC
A federal court in California will hear a legal battle on Monday regarding Trump's deployment of National Guard members to Los Angeles

Read full article from source: BBC