Trump administration makes steps towards getting the homeless off the streets
News | By Easton Martin | August 13, 2025
The Trump administration has issued an ultimatum to people living in homeless encampments in Washington, D.C., requiring them to enter shelters, accept addiction or mental health treatment, or face fines and possible jail time if they refuse. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the policy on Tuesday, citing existing D.C. laws as the legal basis for enforcement.
The crackdown includes federal control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the deployment of 800 National Guard troops, and the mobilization of about 500 federal law enforcement agents. Since March, authorities have removed more than 70 homeless encampments, with only two remaining.
Officials say the goal is to improve public safety and connect people to services. Critics argue the approach criminalizes homelessness and strains an already limited shelter system.
According to city data, nearly 800 people are unhoused in D.C. on any given night, with more than 3,200 in emergency shelters. The two remaining encampments are scheduled for removal soon.
