President Trump on Sunday called for the immediate removal of homeless people from Washington, D.C., declaring they should be relocated “FAR” from the city and hinting at a more aggressive federal role in policing the capital. In a series of Truth Social posts, the president said the city’s “once beautiful” image had been tarnished by “tents, squalor, filth, and crime,” and vowed there would be “no MR. NICE GUY” going forward.
The remarks come days after the Trump administration announced an increased federal law enforcement presence in D.C., following the alleged assault of a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer during an attempted carjacking. Trump has scheduled a Monday morning press conference, promising to outline steps to “end the Crime, Murder, and Death in our Nation’s Capital.”
Federal Control of D.C. Back on the Table
Trump’s weekend posts revived his long-standing suggestion of placing Washington under direct federal control if the city’s local leadership fails to curb crime and homelessness. “We want our Capital BACK,” he wrote, adding that criminals would not be relocated but jailed “where you belong.”
However, fully federalizing D.C. would require congressional action to overturn the 1973 Home Rule Act, which granted residents the right to elect their own mayor and council. Under current law, the president can temporarily assume command of the D.C. Metropolitan Police only if “emergency conditions” exist for federal purposes — a threshold that legal experts say may not be met.
Crime Trends Challenge the Narrative
While Trump paints a picture of spiraling lawlessness, official figures suggest the opposite. According to D.C. police data, violent crime has been on a steady decline for 18 months. Robberies are down 29% so far this year, and overall violent crime is down 26% compared to the same period last year.
The Justice Department reported that 2024 saw the lowest violent crime rates in the city in more than three decades. Still, Trump has argued that the city’s progress is too slow and overshadowed by visible street disorder, especially around federal buildings and tourist areas.
The Homelessness Factor
According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 5,138 people are currently experiencing homelessness in the district, a 9% decrease from last year but still higher than figures from 2022 and 2023. The president has repeatedly criticized cities like D.C. for allowing encampments to proliferate.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to challenge court rulings that limit the removal of homeless individuals from public spaces and to prioritize funding for cities enforcing anti-camping and anti-loitering laws. Advocacy groups, including the National Homelessness Law Center, have condemned the move as punitive and counterproductive.
Mayor Bowser Pushes Back President Trump’s Narrative
Mayor Muriel Bowser, speaking to MSNBC ahead of Trump’s latest posts, defended her administration’s handling of public safety, emphasizing a collaborative effort between local police and federal partners. “We are not experiencing a spike in crime. In fact, we’re watching our crime numbers go down,” she said.
Bowser acknowledged the city could use more federal assistance but suggested that deploying additional federal officers was more likely than a full-scale takeover. She also rejected the implication that her administration has been complacent, noting that D.C.’s justice system is already heavily influenced by federal authorities.
Political Undertones and Public Perception
Trump’s renewed focus on D.C.’s crime and homelessness comes as the 2026 midterm political season looms, with Republicans seeking to frame urban disorder as a Democratic failure. The president’s stark rhetoric — calling for immediate removal of the homeless and promising harsher law enforcement — aligns with his broader “law and order” messaging.
Public opinion in D.C., however, is likely to be sharply divided. Many residents welcome federal assistance in tackling crime, while others see Trump’s statements as an overreach that undermines local governance and ignores the root causes of homelessness.
What to Expect from Monday’s Announcement
Trump has promised that his Monday press conference will address “Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition” of the capital, hinting at beautification projects alongside increased law enforcement measures. He has also linked the issue to high-profile federal spending, citing a costly renovation of Federal Reserve offices as an example of misplaced priorities.
Whether the president’s proposals will involve legally feasible steps toward federal control remains uncertain. What is clear is that his remarks have already set the stage for a high-stakes confrontation between the White House and D.C.’s local leadership over crime, homelessness, and who truly governs the nation’s capital.
