In a move sure to ignite controversy, former President Donald Trump has pledged to address homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C., sparking debate and raising questions about federal authority within the nation’s capital.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform over the weekend, stating, “The homeless must be moved immediately. We will give them accommodations, but far away from our Capital. Criminals, you don’t have to move. We’re going to put you in the jail where you belong.” The pronouncements, as reported by CCTV News, suggest a significant shift in the approach to urban management.
The impetus, according to a White House official, stems from a recent incident where a young government staffer was the target of an attempted carjacking. This event reportedly spurred the deployment of additional federal law enforcement personnel to Washington, D.C.
Trump has repeatedly characterized Washington, D.C., as one of the world’s most dangerous cities, promising to transform it into one of the safest. “We are going to take back our Capital,” he declared.
The White House official noted that federal agents investigated alleged crimes on Friday night that included “multiple individuals carrying handguns without permits,” driving with suspended licenses, and operating off-road vehicles. Reportedly, as of Saturday, 450 federal law enforcement officers had been deployed throughout the city.
Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday to further articulate his plans to curb violent crime in the District. Details surrounding the implementation of the announced measures remain unclear.
While specifics are scarce, a U.S. official indicated that the administration is considering deploying several hundred National Guard troops to Washington. The official emphasized that Trump has not yet made a final decision and that the exact number of troops and their specific roles are still under deliberation.
Typically, governors decide on the activation of the National Guard within their states. However, the District of Columbia National Guard falls under the direct control of the President, a dynamic that has historically created tension between the White House and the D.C. Mayor’s office.
A notable precedent occurred on January 6, 2021, when the National Guard was deployed to Washington, D.C., in response to the attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump’s supporters. The legal basis for the planned actions remains undefined, with the White House declining to elaborate. Federal law grants the U.S. President direct control over federal lands and buildings within Washington, D.C.
The Community Partnership, an organization dedicated to reducing homelessness in Washington, reports that the District, with a population of 700,000, experiences over 3,700 single individuals experiencing homelessness each night. The majority of these individuals reside in emergency shelters or transitional housing, rather than on the streets.
Contradicting Trump’s assessment, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser argues that crime rates are not on the rise. However, data from the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia shows a mixed picture. While violent crime may vary by neighborhood, overall trends are complex and subject to interpretation.
Mayor Bowser stated on Sunday that the capital is “not experiencing a crime surge.”
“Yes, we had an intractable surge in 2023, but it’s not 2023…For the past two years, we have been working to drive down violence in our city, to 30-year lows.”
Bowser added that Trump met with her in the Oval Office weeks ago and is “very aware” of the city’s collaboration with federal law enforcement.
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