Trump Demands D.C. Homeless Evacuation, Threatens Police Takeover Amid Crime Concerns
President Trump demanded immediate evacuation of D.C. homeless, deploying federal officers and threatening police takeover to combat crime, despite the D.C. Mayor's defense.
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Washington Examiner
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Washington Examiner
Trump says DC homeless must ‘move out immediately'
Washington Examiner
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Overview
- President Donald Trump demanded the immediate evacuation of homeless individuals from Washington, D.C., citing concerns for public safety and the capital's aesthetic appeal.
- Trump signed executive orders to pressure local governments into clearing homeless encampments and relocating unhoused individuals to alternative accommodations.
- Nearly 450 federal law enforcement officers were deployed in D.C. over the weekend, increasing federal presence to protect citizens amidst reported rising crime rates.
- President Trump stated criminals would be jailed and threatened to take over D.C. police, emphasizing his intent to reclaim the city from crime.
- The D.C. Mayor has defended the capital's crime rates, despite President Trump's directives and threats regarding federal intervention and homeless relocation efforts.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by consistently challenging the premise of Trump's actions. They immediately juxtapose his claims of rampant crime with official data showing a significant decrease, emphasizing the "political theater" aspect. They highlight legal limitations and include strong pushback from D.C. officials and Democratic critics, casting doubt on the necessity and legality of the federal intervention.
"Despite the high-profile assault, violent crime in the nation's capital is the lowest in more than 30 years."
USA TODAY"Trump's action is his latest effort to exert more control over D.C. and its institutions in his second term."
Deadline"Trump has long denigrated Washington, D.C., which leans heavily Democratic."
USA TODAY"Trump's weekend posts depicted the district as “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World.”"
ABC News"Trump's news event comes a week after he again threatened a federal takeover of D.C. following an alleged assault on Edward Coristine, an original Department of Government Efficiency staffer known online as "Big Balls," in an attempted carjacking."
NBC News"The moves come despite the fact violent crime declined by 35% in D.C. in 2024, according to data compiled by the D.C. Metropolitan Police."
USA TODAY"Despite the president’s claims, crime in D.C. is down over the last two years."
ABC News"Trump's weekend posts depicted the district as 'one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World.'"
Associated Press"The immediate impact of Trump's action on Sunday appeared less sweeping and dramatic than his social media posts suggested."
NPR"The Trump administration is using hundreds of federal police officers to target crime in Washington, D.C., as part of President Donald Trump's public safety push in the nation’s capital."
USA TODAY"Trump has said homeless people must "move out" of Washington DC as he vowed to tackle crime in the city, but the mayor pushed back against the White House likening the capital to Baghdad."
BBC News"Trump's comments about the homeless population in D.C. reflect a controversial stance amid declining crime rates in the city."
USA TODAY"The president likely doesn't have the authority to fully federalize the capital city — unless Congress repeals a 1973 law that gave the city's residents the power to elect their own mayor and city council."
CBS News"Following a spike in 2023 of robberies and carjackings, data shows violent crime in DC is in steep decline, reaching a multiyear low and mirroring a nationwide drop in crime."
Semafor"The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY."
Fortune"Bowser defended the District's control of its police department, expressed concern over the deployment of the D.C. National Guard, and celebrated a two-year drop in violent crime countering White House claims of out-of-control violence."
NPRArticles (61)
FAQ
Washington, D.C. has approximately 3,782 homeless individuals on any given night, including single persons and families, with recent data showing a 9% decrease in the overall homeless population since 2024.
President Trump demanded the immediate evacuation of homeless individuals from D.C., signed executive orders to pressure local governments to clear homeless encampments, deployed nearly 450 federal officers to increase security, and threatened to take over D.C. police to combat crime.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser defended the city's crime rates and homelessness efforts, emphasizing progress and effective local policies despite President Trump's federal pressure and threats of police takeover.
Key factors include demographics (age, race, gender), health and disabilities, experiences with domestic violence and foster care, income and employment challenges, and specific subpopulations such as transitional age youth and veterans.
Homelessness in D.C. has seen fluctuations with recent decreases; there has been a 9% decrease from the previous year and significant decreases in families experiencing homelessness compared to pre-pandemic levels.
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