Trump orders DC mayor to clear homeless encampments

• President Trump has ordered D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to remove homeless encampments near the White House, threatening federal intervention if she doesn’t act. Trump highlighted visible encampments and insisted Washington D.C. must be “clean and safe.”
• Bowser defended the city’s approach, noting protocols for clearing encampments and providing shelter options.
• The city’s annual homeless count showed a 14% increase in 2024, though numbers remain lower than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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President Donald Trump issued a warning to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday, March 5, demanding the removal of homeless encampments in the nation’s capital. Trump stated that if Bowser does not take action, the federal government will intervene.

Trump’s call for action

Trump’s comments came after he posted on Truth Social, highlighting visible homeless encampments near the White House and the State Department. In the post, he said that Washington D.C. must become “clean and safe,” placing the responsibility for the cleanup on Mayor Bowser’s shoulders.

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Mayor Bowser’s response

At a press conference Thursday, March 6, Bowser defended the city’s approach to clearing encampments. She emphasized that the city has reliable protocols, stating, “We always clear homeless encampments—we always do—and we do it according to protocols that have worked in the district.”

Bowser also acknowledged the importance of proper notice, explaining that the city operates on a schedule that has been effective in the past.

Encampments targeted for removal

One of the encampments scheduled for cleanup is located about a mile from the White House in downtown D.C. According to the city’s website, the cleanup will include biohazard removal due to safety concerns. Those plans were underway before Trump’s request.

The Washington Post reported the city began notifying residents of the encampments on Thursday, giving them 24 hours to vacate the area. Bowser has already planned to remove some of the city’s largest encampments, though housing options need to be identified first.

Challenges in addressing homelessness

Bowser’s initiative includes offering on-site behavioral help and providing transitional support to those affected by homelessness. She emphasized the hurdles many individuals face, saying, “We want people to get in shelter –– which we have available shelter, so let me be clear about that –– and then be on their way to housing. Keep in mind that we’re talking about people who have a lot of hurdles and a lot of resistance to coming inside to safe housing.”

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However, encampments located on federal property, such as those near the National Park Service-managed areas, require coordination between the city and federal agencies.

The latest data from D.C.’s annual Point-in-Time count showed a 14% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in 2024 compared to 2023. While the numbers mark an increase, they remain lower than the peak during the COVID-19 pandemic.