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By Daniel Orton
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President Donald Trump declared Sunday that homeless people in Washington, D.C., must leave the capital "immediately," promising they would be relocated "far from the Capital" as part of a broader effort to make the city "safer and more beautiful."
Why It Matters
Because Washington is a federal district rather than a state, it falls under the constitutional authority of Congress rather than a governor, meaning any presidential attempt to take over the city would raise serious constitutional, legal, and political concerns.
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The president already has unusual power over the capital, including direct control of the D.C. National Guard, and bypassing local leadership could pave the way for militarized control or federal overreach.
Such a move could further undermine D.C.'s limited self-governance—its residents lack voting representation in Congress and see their laws subject to congressional override—while setting a precedent for using federal authority to override local decision-making in other U.S. territories.
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What To Know
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "We're having a News Conference tomorrow in the White House. I'm going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. 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."
"Be prepared!" he added. "There will be no 'MR. NICE GUY.' We want our Capital BACK."
The announcement comes amid heightened federal law enforcement activity in D.C. and follows Trump's earlier threats to place the city under direct federal control.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the city's leadership, calling D.C. unsafe and poorly managed, but his latest comments mark an escalation in rhetoric and policy toward the homeless population, coupled with a pledge to intensify criminal enforcement.
The president's push aligns with a March executive order establishing the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. According to a White House fact sheet, the task force coordinates federal agencies to:
- Enforce quality-of-life laws, including those targeting public drug use and vandalism.
- Clear homeless encampments on federal land.
- Support local police with recruitment and retention.
- Strengthen pretrial detention policies.
- Restore and clean federal monuments, parks, and public spaces.
The National Park Service has already increased removals of homeless encampments, part of a broader federal effort that also includes cracking down on fare evasion and other transit crimes.
While Trump has cited rising crime to justify his moves, police data shows violent crime in the city is down 26 percent this year compared with 2024, including decreases in homicides, robberies and assaults. Carjackings are down 37 percent.
What People Are Saying
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said: "President Trump is committed to making our nation's capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world."
Jeanine Pirro U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, targeted youth crime on Thursday, telling reporters: "We're seeing far too much crime being committed by young people—14, 15, 16, 17 years old—that I can't get my hands on…I don't know if you've seen some of these pictures. But young people are coddled, and they don't need to be coddled anymore. They need to be held accountable…They need to understand that enough is enough."
What Happens Next
Any attempt to permanently federalize D.C. law enforcement or repeal the Home Rule Act would likely face legal and political challenges, setting the stage for a protracted battle over the city's governance and autonomy.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.
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