Trump Demands Immediate Removal of Homeless from D.C.
UPDATE: President Donald Trump has issued a startling ultimatum regarding homelessness in Washington, D.C., ordering that the city’s homeless encampments be dismantled IMMEDIATELY. In a series of remarks earlier this week, Trump warned that “the homeless have to move out” and hinted at relocating those affected to sites “FAR from the Capital.”
This announcement raises urgent questions about the lives of the approximately 798 unhoused individuals in D.C. today. Advocacy groups are expressing deep concern, emphasizing the absence of concrete plans for relocation or support. “What is particularly startling is the vague language about removing them from the district altogether,” said Dana White, advocacy director for Miriam’s Kitchen, a nonprofit focused on ending chronic homelessness.
During a press briefing on Monday, Trump stated that the federal government would be “removing homeless encampments from all over our parks” as part of a broader strategy to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor.” He asserted, “There are many places that they can go, and we’re going to help them as much as you can help,” but details about these locations remain unclear.
Advocates worry this approach echoes previous controversial immigration policies, with Donald Whitehead Jr., executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, questioning whether the homeless would simply be moved to remote areas. “It points to it being more of a stunt than an actual conference about solutions to homelessness,” he remarked.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has not received additional information from the White House regarding Trump’s statements. She confirmed during a press conference that her office will seek further clarification from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
As of now, the D.C. homeless population has seen a 9% decrease overall, according to the latest census, yet many remain concerned that dismantling encampments could drive individuals away from the services they desperately need. “When we clear encampments, we disconnect people from the services they need to survive,” White emphasized.
The urgency of the situation is heightened by Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at removing homeless encampments on federal land and redirecting federal funds toward treatment and housing programs. While over 70 homeless camps have already been removed since March, advocates argue that without sufficient shelter or affordable housing, those displaced are likely to re-establish encampments elsewhere.
With the National Guard potentially deployed as part of this initiative, the situation is evolving rapidly. Advocates are preparing to respond to developments as they unfold, stressing the need for humane and sustainable solutions to homelessness in the nation’s capital.
As this story develops, the implications for both the homeless community and the broader D.C. landscape remain significant. The lack of transparency and specific plans raises alarm among advocates, urging immediate attention to the ongoing crisis.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent issue as officials and advocacy groups continue to navigate this complex situation.
