Donald Trump Plans National Guard Deployment to Washington, D.C., Vows Immediate Homeless Eviction

August 11, 2025 MTIMES 61 Views federal law enforcement, homelessness crisis, Muriel Bowser, National Guard Washington DC, Trump homeless eviction plan, Truth Social, US Politics, violent crime Washington DC 4 min read

US President Donald Trump has vowed to remove homeless individuals from Washington, D.C. and jail offenders as part of a crackdown on crime — despite the city’s mayor stating that crime rates are at a historic low, not rising.

According to a US official speaking to Reuters, the administration is preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to the capital. While exact troop numbers and duties are still under discussion, the move echoes a previous deployment in Los Angeles to control immigration protests, which faced resistance from local authorities.

Unlike US states, where governors decide when to activate the Guard, the president has direct control of the District of Columbia’s National Guard. Past deployments include the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

On his Truth Social account, Trump wrote:

“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. 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.”

The White House declined to clarify what legal authority Trump would use to evict people, noting that the president’s control applies only to federal property in the city.

Trump homeless eviction plan tied to broader security push in Washington

Trump is expected to hold a Monday press conference on “stopping violent crime in Washington, D.C.”, where he may reveal more details of his eviction plan.

Figures from the Community Partnership, a D.C. homelessness nonprofit, estimate that on any given night there are 3,782 single homeless individuals in the city — most in shelters or transitional housing, not on the streets.

The White House says 450 federal law enforcement officers were deployed Saturday following the violent assault of a young administration staffer, which angered Trump. Federal agents reported multiple firearms violations, unlicensed driving, and dirt bike riding.

Crime Statistics and Local Response

Data from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department shows violent crime dropped 26% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with overall crime down about 7%.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said the city is not experiencing a crime spike, noting that violent crime is at a 30-year low. She acknowledged meeting Trump in the Oval Office weeks earlier to discuss coordination with federal agencies but emphasized that local crime control remains the city’s responsibility.

D.C. residents elect their own mayor and city council, but Congress retains ultimate control of the capital’s budget — a framework established in 1790. Any attempt by Trump to assume direct control of the city would likely require Congressional action overturning current laws.

Political and legal hurdles for Trump homeless eviction plan

Analysts note that the president’s ability to forcibly evict homeless people from Washington depends on jurisdiction limits, since much of the city’s land is under local control.

The legal debate is already intensifying, as critics warn that forced relocation could violate constitutional rights and further strain social services. Supporters of Trump’s proposal argue that moving homeless individuals away from the capital will improve safety and restore the city’s image.

Trump’s renewed focus on Washington’s security comes amid a national political climate in which law-and-order messaging is a central part of his 2025 agenda.

The unfolding dispute over Trump’s homeless eviction plan reflects deeper tensions between federal authority and local governance in the U.S. capital. As the president prepares to deploy National Guard troops and expand federal policing in D.C., the nation watches to see whether the controversial strategy will proceed — or face legal and political roadblocks.

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