Homeless residents of Washington, D.C., are hurriedly gathering their belongings as federal and local authorities prepare to dismantle encampments across the city. This move comes as part of President Donald Trump's broader push to assert control over policing in the nation's capital.
According to AP News, Trump's administration has announced a federal takeover of D.C. policing, with a specific focus on clearing homeless encampments. The plan, though light on specifics, has sparked immediate action and deep concern among advocates and residents alike.
Thursday morning, near the Institute of Peace, about a dozen homeless individuals were seen packing up as an earth mover cleared remnants of their makeshift homes into a waiting truck. Protesters nearby held signs opposing the Trump administration's approach, while volunteers from local aid groups stood ready to assist.
Trump has stated via social media that homeless individuals will be moved "FAR from the Capital," promising alternative places to stay. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered little clarity, noting only that local and federal forces will enforce existing laws and offer shelter or services, with fines or jail time for those who refuse.
In the past five months, U.S. Park Police have already removed 70 encampments, providing similar options to residents. As of Tuesday, just two sites remained on National Park Service land, slated for closure this week, though the broader timeline for all 62 sites across D.C. remains aggressive and uncertain.
Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage acknowledged the complexity of these closures, emphasizing the human toll on already marginalized individuals. He described a process designed to respect those affected, even as federal authorities push for swift action within roughly a week's span.
The scale of homelessness in D.C. is significant, with a 2025 count tallying 5,138 adults and children, though this marked a 9% drop from the prior year. A federal report from 2024 highlighted D.C.'s rate of 83 homeless per 10,000 people as the highest in the nation, though 84% were sheltered, outpacing many states.
City officials are scrambling to provide additional shelter space ahead of the sweeps, with administrator Kevin Donahue noting a building ready to house up to 200 if needed. Outreach workers have been visiting encampments with heightened urgency throughout the week to offer support.
Mayor Muriel Bowser suggested Trump's reaction to visible encampments stems from a belief that they tarnish the city's image, a view she disputes. Her administration continues to grapple with balancing federal directives against local efforts to address homelessness humanely.
Advocates like Amber W. Harding of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless fear federal law enforcement will systematically round up and arrest the unhoused, especially given the shortage of shelter beds. Harding called the situation "chaotic and scary," particularly for those already on the streets.
Lucho Vásquez of the Coalition for the Homeless echoed the urgency, with his group focusing on opening temporary facilities for emergency shelter and resources. The immediate needs of food and safety remain paramount as encampments vanish under federal orders.
Local residents also weigh in, with Jeraod Tyre, a 15-year D.C. veteran, noting recent drops in crime and worrying that federal troops lack the community ties of local police. Sheiena Taylor, a lifelong resident, expressed fear over federal forces near her home, stressing that homelessness itself isn't a crime.
Taylor's point cuts to the heart of the debate: punishing homelessness sidesteps root causes like housing shortages and mental health struggles. Clearing encampments might polish the city's facade, but without real solutions, it just shifts the problem out of sight.
Trump's tough-on-crime stance may resonate with those frustrated by urban disorder, yet the lack of a clear relocation plan raises questions about whether this is governance or optics. Forcing people to move without adequate support risks deepening their hardship, a reality even the most hardened policy hawk can't ignore.
As D.C. braces for the full rollout of this federal directive, the tension between maintaining order and protecting the vulnerable remains unresolved. The coming days will test whether this crackdown delivers security or merely displaces despair to another corner of the nation.
