US President Donald Trump has called for the immediate removal of homeless people from Washington, DC, saying they must be relocated far from the capital.
“The homeless have to move out immediately,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, alongside images of tents and litter along city roads.
“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.”
Trump also referenced an upcoming press conference scheduled for Monday, where he is expected to outline plans focused on “crime and cleanliness” in the capital. He declared the city should become “safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.”
Washington, as the US capital, operates under a unique structure. Though it has a local mayor and council, it remains under considerable federal jurisdiction. Trump, a Republican, has been a frequent critic of Washington’s Democratic mayor, Muriel Bowser.
According to US media reports, the federal government is considering plans to deploy hundreds of National Guard personnel to carry out Trump’s directive. However, no final decision has been made. Trump has yet to provide specific details on how the relocation of homeless individuals would be implemented.
This isn’t the first time Trump has voiced frustration over homelessness in the capital. Two weeks ago, he announced plans to address the issue near the White House, saying: “I think it’s terrible, and we’ll have them removed immediately.”
