President Donald Trump on Sunday said the homeless population in Washington, D.C., must “move out immediately” while teeing up a Monday press conference in which the White House is expected to lay out a plan to “stop violent crime” in the nation’s capital.
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, featuring images of homeless encampments and dirty trash in the district. “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital.”
Trump first teased the press conference on Saturday, days after a Department of Government Efficiency staffer nicknamed “Big Balls” was reportedly attacked by a group of juveniles in an attempted carjacking. An image of the bloodied man went viral on social media, catching the attention of Trump and former DOGE head Elon Musk. The assault prompted the White House to take action.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to strip the district’s government of its home rule, which allows the federal district to maintain limited self-governance. Come Monday, the president will likely follow through on his vow to roll back the city’s home rule and perhaps take over the Metropolitan Police Department. He has floated both ideas as possibilities.
After telling the homeless population to move out of Washington, Trump said the criminals “don’t have to move out” because they will be put “in jail where you belong.” He promised quick action.
“This will be easier — Be prepared!” Trump said. “There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK.”
Starting Friday, there has been an increased federal presence in the district. The surge in federal policing is expected to last at least seven days, according to reports.
Trump ordered the increased law enforcement presence, which may soon include the National Guard.
TRUMP TEASES MONDAY PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WILL ‘STOP VIOLENT CRIME’ IN DC
Mayor Muriel Bowser is concerned about Trump’s proposal to bring in the National Guard, recently saying, “they’re not law enforcement officials” and its deployment is not an “efficient use” of federal resources. She also warned the National Guard could provoke local communities that “feel harassed and attacked.”
Furthermore, Bowser rejected Trump’s claims that Washington is experiencing a massive spike in violent crime, noting the crime rates reached a 30-year low last year. The data marked a significant improvement from 2023, when the city experienced a 35% increase in homicides. The homicide rate decreased by 31% in 2024 and is down 12% compared to the same time last year.
