Trump has pledged to clear homeless camps and swiftly jail criminals to improve Washington, DC.
He says federal action will make the capital safer, sparking debate over policing and governance.
President Donald Trump has vowed to remove homeless encampments from Washington, DC, and rapidly detain criminals in a renewed pledge to address the capital’s security and cleanliness.
Posting on Truth Social on Sunday, August 10, Trump declared, “I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. We want our Capital BACK.” He promised to relocate homeless individuals “far from the Capital” while ensuring criminals “go to jail where they belong,” adding that the plan would be executed “very fast” with “no Mr. Nice Guy” approach.
The president said further details would be announced during a press briefing on Monday.
Trump’s remarks come amid heightened public concern following the assault of Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former Department of Government Efficiency staffer, who was attacked near DuPont Circle while attempting to prevent a carjacking. Police say about 10 juveniles were involved; two suspects have been arrested, and a $10,000 reward is being offered for information on the others.
Last week, Trump announced plans to deploy federal law enforcement across the city, part of a broader strategy to combat crime. Washington, DC, which operates under the 1973 Home Rule Act, faces ongoing debates over federal versus local control. Some Republicans have even proposed a federal takeover to tackle rising safety concerns.
While DC has visible homeless encampments, city officials note that crime statistics are improving. Mayor Muriel Bowser, responding to Trump’s statements, said she is open to collaboration with federal agencies but rejected the idea of a current crime spike. According to the DC Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime is down 26% year-on-year, homicides are down 12%, and overall crime has dropped by 7%.
Despite these figures, DC still had one of the highest homicide rates in the country in 2023, ranking fourth nationwide.
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller escalated the rhetoric, comparing DC’s violence to Baghdad and other dangerous regions, though such comparisons remain disputed due to limited available data.
Trump’s proposals are set to ignite fierce political and legal battles over homelessness policy, policing powers, and the tug-of-war between federal authority and local control in the nation’s capital.
