Donald Trump Calls for Immediate Removal of Homeless from Washington, D.C.
Former President Donald Trump has declared that homeless individuals in Washington, D.C., should be removed from the nation’s capital “immediately,” saying they would be relocated “far from the Capital” under his vision for improving the city.
Speaking during a recent address, Trump framed the proposal as part of a broader push to make Washington “safer and more beautiful.” He did not provide specific details on where individuals would be relocated or what resources would be offered to them.
“The homeless have to go,” Trump said. “We’ll move them far from the Capital. We’re going to make our cities clean, safe, and beautiful again.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized what he describes as urban decay in major U.S. cities, linking homelessness to crime and diminished quality of life. Critics of such relocation proposals argue that forcibly moving homeless populations without addressing root causes—such as affordable housing shortages, mental health treatment access, and addiction services—merely shifts the crisis elsewhere rather than solving it.
Advocacy groups in D.C. have pushed back on similar rhetoric in the past, noting that the city’s homeless population includes veterans, working poor, and people facing rising housing costs. They also stress that the number of people experiencing homelessness in the District has remained stubbornly high despite past government programs aimed at reduction.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks represent a formal policy proposal or a campaign talking point. However, given his focus on urban issues and public safety during his 2024 presidential bid, his statement is likely to spark renewed debate over homelessness policies in the nation’s capital and across the United States.
