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Trump says homeless must be moved ‘far’ from Washington ahead of crime crackdown plan

Park Police talk to a man who refused to leave after members of the U.S. National Park Service cleared a homeless encampment from McPherson Square, two blocks from the White House in Washington, U.S. on February 15, 2023. (AFP Photo)
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Park Police talk to a man who refused to leave after members of the U.S. National Park Service cleared a homeless encampment from McPherson Square, two blocks from the White House in Washington, U.S. on February 15, 2023. (AFP Photo)
August 10, 2025 11:20 PM GMT+03:00

United States President Donald Trump said Sunday that homeless people must be moved “far” from the nation’s capital after days of suggesting federal control over Washington, where he has falsely claimed crime is rising.

The Republican billionaire announced a press conference Monday to unveil his plans for Washington — a city run by a locally elected government under congressional oversight, an arrangement Trump has long opposed.

He has threatened to federalize the city and give the White House final authority over its governance.

'Going to happen very fast'

“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,” Trump posted Sunday on his Truth Social platform.

“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital,” he added, promising swift imprisonment for criminals in the city.

“It’s all going to happen very fast,” he said.

Screengrab shows U.S. President Trump's post on his Truth Social account, accessed on August 10, 2025. (Photo via Truth Social / @realDonaldTrump)
Screengrab shows U.S. President Trump's post on his Truth Social account, accessed on August 10, 2025. (Photo via Truth Social / @realDonaldTrump)

Washington ranks 15th among major U.S. cities by homeless population, according to last year’s government statistics. While thousands spend nights in shelters or on the streets, the numbers have declined since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened to deploy the National Guard to crack down on what he alleges is rising crime, though official statistics show violent crime fell 26% in the first half of 2025 compared with the previous year.

Crime rates in Washington reached their lowest levels in three decades in 2024, according to Justice Department figures compiled before Trump returned to office.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks as he hosts an event on National Purple Heart Day in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. on August 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks as he hosts an event on National Purple Heart Day in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. on August 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)

No more 'MR. NICE GUY'

Despite calling DC Mayor Muriel Bowser “a good person who has tried,” Trump criticized her leadership, writing, “Crime Numbers get worse, and the City only gets dirtier.”

“The American Public is not going to put up with it any longer,” Trump said.

“Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK,” he wrote.

Trump said Saturday that Monday’s news conference would “essentially, stop violent crime in Washington, D.C.,” which he called “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World.”

Official police figures show crime declined in 2024 and this year. Violent crime dropped 35% in 2024 compared with the previous year, with homicides down 32%. So far in 2025, violent crime fell 26%, homicide declined 12%, and assaults with a dangerous weapon dropped 20%.

Trump’s announcement coincides with Justice Department actions against “sanctuary jurisdictions,” including Washington, for limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

He also criticized a $3.1 billion renovation of a Federal Reserve building, claiming it could have been done “in a far more elegant and time sensitive manner for $50 to $100 Million Dollars.”

Trump has used the renovation as part of his push for the resignation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Powell said last month Trump was confusing costs of two separate projects when confronted on the issue.

August 10, 2025 11:24 PM GMT+03:00
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