Trump Considers Homeless Eviction and National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C.



 WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (Reuters) — President Donald Trump has pledged to remove homeless individuals from Washington, D.C., and increase arrests of criminals, despite claims from the city’s mayor that crime is currently on the decline. The proposal, which could involve deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to the capital, has already sparked intense debate over legality, public policy, and the balance of power between the federal government and the District’s local authorities.

Trump’s Announcement and the Immediate Reaction

On Sunday, President Trump stated his intention to clear homeless encampments from the nation’s capital, claiming the move is necessary to improve public safety and restore order. Speaking via his social media platform Truth Social, he wrote:

“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”

While Trump framed his proposal as a response to what he describes as a worsening security environment in Washington, the city’s mayor, Democrat Muriel Bowser, pushed back against his characterization, stating that the capital is “not experiencing a crime spike” and noting that violent crime has dropped significantly in the past two years.

The National Guard Factor

A U.S. official told Reuters that the administration is preparing for the possible deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. This move would echo Trump’s previous decisions to mobilize federal forces during high-profile incidents, such as in Los Angeles to address immigration protests.

The official emphasized that Trump has not made a final decision, and details such as the exact number of troops and their operational roles remain under discussion. Unlike in states where governors typically activate the National Guard, the president has direct authority over Guard deployments in Washington, D.C., giving him far greater control over security measures in the capital.

Historically, the National Guard has been deployed in the District during moments of heightened tension, including the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, when supporters of Trump stormed the building in an attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election.

Legal Questions and Federal Authority

Trump’s promise to “evict” homeless people from Washington raises significant legal questions. The president’s authority in D.C. is limited primarily to federal land and buildings. Large portions of the city, including many public spaces, are under municipal control.

For Trump’s plan to extend citywide, Congress would likely have to pass legislation overriding local authority. Since Washington was established in 1790 from land donated by Maryland and Virginia, Congress has maintained the ultimate power over its governance. However, in 1973, the District of Columbia Home Rule Act granted residents the right to elect their own mayor and city council, giving the city a degree of autonomy that Trump’s plan could directly challenge.

The White House has declined to specify what legal framework would underpin such an eviction effort. Constitutional scholars and housing rights advocates have already begun debating whether the plan could withstand judicial scrutiny, particularly under federal housing and civil rights laws.


The Homelessness Situation in D.C.

Data from the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, an organization working to reduce homelessness in the capital, reports that on any given night there are approximately 3,782 single individuals experiencing homelessness in Washington, D.C. The majority are in emergency shelters or transitional housing, rather than living outdoors.

Homelessness in D.C. has complex roots — including rising housing costs, limited affordable housing availability, untreated mental health issues, and gaps in addiction services. Local nonprofits have warned that forcibly removing individuals without a clear, sustainable housing plan risks worsening the crisis and pushing vulnerable populations into even more precarious situations.

Trump’s Broader Crime Agenda

The push to clear homeless encampments is part of Trump’s wider public safety message ahead of the 2024 election cycle. In recent weeks, he has criticized urban crime rates, promised tougher law enforcement, and called for federal intervention in cities led by Democrats.

Last month, Trump ordered additional federal law enforcement personnel into D.C. following a violent attack on a young White House staffer. According to administration officials, these deployments investigated offenses such as illegal firearm possession, unlicensed driving, and reckless dirt bike riding.

A White House official confirmed that 450 federal law enforcement officers were stationed across the city on Saturday as part of ongoing crime prevention efforts.


Crime Trends in Washington, D.C.

Despite Trump’s statements, official police data shows that violent crime in D.C. is down 26% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Overall reported crime has dropped about 7%.

Mayor Bowser has repeatedly highlighted the city’s progress, noting that since a peak in 2023, Washington has driven violent crime to a 30-year low. “It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023,” she said in an interview with MSNBC’s The Weekend.

She added that the city has worked closely with federal law enforcement in recent years and that Trump is aware of these efforts, following a recent meeting between the two in the Oval Office.


Past Federal-Local Tensions Over D.C. Control

The dispute over Trump’s authority in the capital is part of a long history of political tension between the federal government and D.C.’s local leadership. The city’s unique constitutional status has often been at the center of power struggles, especially over law enforcement and budget control.

For example:

·         In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson deployed federal troops to D.C. following riots sparked by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

·         During the 2020 George Floyd protests, Trump ordered federal forces into the city, leading to clashes with demonstrators and criticism from civil liberties groups.

·         The January 6 Capitol attack revealed confusion and delays in Guard deployment due to overlapping chains of command between federal and local authorities.

If Trump were to pursue direct control over broader aspects of D.C.’s governance, it would likely require congressional approval — a move that would provoke heated debate over home rule and democratic representation.


Reactions from Advocacy Groups and Experts

Homeless advocacy organizations have sharply criticized Trump’s proposal, warning that forced removal without adequate housing solutions violates human rights and could face constitutional challenges.

Maria Foscarinis, founder of the National Homelessness Law Center, told reporters:

“Clearing encampments without a sustainable housing plan is counterproductive. It doesn’t solve homelessness — it hides it.”

Civil liberties groups have also expressed concern about the use of the National Guard in a domestic law enforcement role, noting that it can escalate tensions rather than improve safety.

Supporters of Trump’s approach, however, argue that visible homelessness in the capital reflects poorly on the nation and poses public health and safety risks. Conservative policy groups have called for a “zero-tolerance” approach to encampments near government buildings and tourist areas.


Possible Outcomes and Political Implications

Whether or not Trump follows through on this plan, the announcement has already shifted the national conversation on homelessness and crime. By linking the issue to federal security powers, Trump is testing the limits of presidential authority in D.C. and drawing clear political battle lines ahead of the next election cycle.

If Congress were to support Trump’s approach, it could set a precedent for greater federal intervention in local urban policy, not just in Washington but potentially in other cities as well. However, such a move would almost certainly trigger legal battles, protests, and political resistance from local leaders.


International Comparisons

Globally, cities facing visible homelessness — from Los Angeles to Paris to Tokyo — have tried various strategies ranging from expanded shelter programs to stricter public space regulations. Some countries, like Finland, have adopted a “Housing First” model, providing permanent housing before addressing employment or addiction issues. Advocates argue this approach is more humane and cost-effective than forced removals.

Trump’s plan, by contrast, appears focused on relocation away from central areas, combined with stricter law enforcement — a model that has been tried in parts of the United States but remains controversial among experts.


The Road Ahead

Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday to discuss “violent crime in Washington, D.C.,” though it remains unclear whether he will provide more details on his eviction plan.

Until then, the debate will continue over whether the president’s vision represents a necessary public safety measure or an overreach of federal authority that risks displacing vulnerable residents without addressing root causes.

For now, the streets of Washington remain calm, but the political storm over its future is just beginning.