Trump Calls for Immediate Removal of Homeless from Washington Streets

President Donald Trump on Sunday called for the immediate removal of homeless individuals from the streets of Washington D.C., signaling a dramatic escalation in his administration’s crackdown on urban crime and public disorder, even as official crime data suggests a downward trend in the capital.

In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump issued a blunt warning: “The homeless must leave immediately. We will provide you with accommodations, but far from the capital.”

The president’s comments follow an alleged attempted carjacking involving a former government official, an incident that has reignited public debate over safety in the nation’s capital. Trump linked the episode to broader crime concerns and promised swift federal action.

“Everything will happen very fast, just like we did at the border,” he wrote. “No more Mr. Nice Guy. We want our capital back.”

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order making it easier for cities to clear homeless encampments, a move that critics say undermines civil rights and risks further marginalizing vulnerable populations.

Under the order, local jurisdictions can request federal assistance for the relocation of unsheltered individuals, including the use of federally managed facilities away from city centers. The White House argues the measure is necessary to restore order, cleanliness, and public safety in urban areas.

Trump’s remarks on Sunday reinforce his administration’s intent to remove homeless populations from visibility, particularly in high-profile cities like Washington D.C., which he has repeatedly criticized as a symbol of Democratic dysfunction.

Despite Trump’s assertions, official statistics show a decline in violent crime across D.C. this year. However, some high-profile incidents, including assaults and carjackings, have sparked heightened public anxiety, which the Trump administration has seized on as justification for its tough-on-crime policies.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office has not publicly responded to the president’s latest directive, but previous statements suggest deep concern over federal overreach into municipal governance, particularly on issues related to housing and civil liberties.

Homeless advocacy groups quickly condemned the president’s language, calling it dehumanizing and unconstitutional.

“Forcibly removing people without addressing the root causes of homelessness, like housing, addiction, and mental health, is not a solution,” said one policy director at a national homelessness nonprofit. “It's a campaign tactic, not a plan.”

Legal experts also warned that any attempt to relocate individuals without due process could face constitutional challenges, especially if tied to political optics rather than actionable social services.