Donald Trump urges homeless to leave Washington, promises housing "far away"
On Sunday, August 10, U.S. President Donald Trump called for the immediate removal of homeless individuals from Washington, D.C., promising alternative housing but insisting it would be provided "far" from the nation's capital. The announcement comes ahead of a press conference scheduled for Monday, where Trump is expected to unveil plans to make the city "safer and more beautiful than ever."
Homeless urged to leave the capital
Taking to his platform, Truth Social, Trump declared:
"The homeless must leave IMMEDIATELY. We will provide places for them to sleep, but FAR from the capital." Addressing criminal offenders directly, he added, "You don’t need to leave. We’ll put you in prison, where you belong."
Washington, D.C., ranked 15th among major U.S. cities for its homeless population in 2024, with more than 5,600 individuals recorded, according to the Department of Housing's annual report.
Federal control and political tensions
Trump has repeatedly threatened to return Washington under federal authority since reclaiming the presidency. The city, with its unique status as a federal district rather than part of any U.S. state, falls under Congressional jurisdiction, though residents have been allowed to elect a municipal council since a 1973 law.
In February, Trump publicly endorsed legislation to repeal this law, citing crime reduction as a priority. He criticized the city's appearance, saying, "There’s too much crime, graffiti, and too many homeless tents on these beautiful lawns."
In March, Trump signed an executive order to expand federal oversight of the city, particularly in areas such as immigration control.
Crime statistics and mayoral response
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has taken a conciliatory approach toward Trump, including removing a 2020 Black Lives Matter mural that had been targeted by Republican criticism.
Ahead of Trump’s press conference, Bowser, appearing on MSNBC, downplayed claims of rising crime, noting that statistics show "positive trends in every category." She also dismissed comparisons made by Trump advisor Stephen Miller, who described Washington as "more violent than Baghdad," calling such statements "exaggerated and false."
The Department of Justice reported in January that violent crime in Washington had reached its lowest levels in over 30 years by the end of 2024.
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