On August 10 (US time), Mr. Donald Trump announced that he would deport all homeless people from the capital Washington D.C and imprison criminals, despite Mayor Muriel Bowser affirming that the city had not recorded a new wave of crimes.
A US official said the administration is preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard soldiers to the capital, although Trump has not made a final decision on the number and mission. Unlike other states, the US President directly controls the National Guard in Washington D.C.
On the social network Truth Social, Mr. Trump wrote: "Houseless people must leave immediately. We will provide accommodation, but very far from the capital. Criminals don't need to go anywhere, because we will imprison them."
According to Community Partnership, each night, more than 700,000 homeless people appear in the city, most of whom are living in temporary shelters or transitional houses.
The White House refused to explain the legal authority Mr. Trump could use to deport homeless people. He now controls only federal land and buildings in Washington, D.C.
A White House official said 450 federal law enforcement officers have been deployed across the city, following a violent attack on a young government employee. Investigation violations include illegal possession of guns, driving when having a license suspended and driving motorbikes on the terrain illegally.
US police data shows that in the first 7 months of 2025, violent crime in Washington D.C decreased by 26% compared to the same period last year, while the total crime decreased by about 7%. Mayor Muriel Bowser affirmed that the city has reduced crime to a 30-year low and said Mr. Trump ignored this reality.
The US Congress now controls the budget in Washington, D.C., but the people still elect the Mayor and city council. For Mr Trump to take over the entire city, the National Assembly needs to pass a law abolishing local leadership.
