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

Published on Aug 10, 2025

On August 10, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social:

> “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals … we're going to put you in jail where you belong.”
He complemented the statement with photos of makeshift tents and litter along his motorcade route to a golf club.

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Federal Enforcement Surge & Legal Overreach Concerns

Simultaneously, federal law enforcement presence in D.C. increased significantly, with reports indicating about 120 FBI agents deployed to assist with violent crime and carjacking concerns.

Local leaders and critics have underscored that Trump’s threats—such as evicting homeless people and federalizing control over D.C.—lack a clear legal basis. The president only controls federal properties; full control would require overturning the 1973 Home Rule Act, which grants Washington D.C. self-governance.

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Crime & Homelessness Stats: Data vs. Rhetoric

Violent crime in D.C. has plummeted: down 35% in 2024, and 26% further so far in 2025. Overall crime decreased by around 7% this year.

On a given night, about 800 unsheltered individuals sleep outdoors. Thousands more are in shelters or transitional housing.

Mayor Bowser reiterated on MSNBC: “We are not experiencing a crime spike,” highlighting significant recent reductions.

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Reactions & Stakes for D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned Trump’s claims, emphasizing local authority and recent progress on safety: “We are not experiencing a crime spike.”

Advocacy groups, like the National Homelessness Law Center, denounced the dismantling of civil rights and warned that treating homelessness as a crime—rather than providing support—exacerbates the problem.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and D.C. proponents called the rhetoric misleading and reiterated the need for D.C. statehood to preserve self-governance.

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What to Watch Next

Trump has a press conference scheduled for Monday, where he’s expected to detail his “tough-on-crime” and urban cleanliness plan.
This event may highlight proposed federal measures—possibly deployment of the National Guard, federal oversight expansion, or homelessness policies.

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