Trump orders removal of homeless people from Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the "immediate" removal of homeless individuals from Washington, DC, while promising tough measures to address rising crime in the US capital, reports BBC.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday (August 10), Trump stated that the homeless would be provided with housing, but outside the capital. He also vowed a "no tolerance" approach for criminals, insisting they would face jail time.

Trump further announced plans for a press conference on Monday, where he will unveil a strategy to make Washington "safer and more beautiful."

Trump’s remarks follow a recent increase in federal law enforcement presence in the city. Last week, around 450 agents from the U.S. Park Police, DEA, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service were deployed to address crime. He also issued an executive order to streamline the arrest process for homeless individuals.

The move comes after a violent incident involving the carjacking and assault of a 19-year-old former government employee, which Trump condemned by posting a photo of the victim on social media.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser criticized the president’s remarks, pointing out that violent crime in the city had decreased to a 30-year low under her leadership. Bowser dismissed comparisons to war-torn regions, labeling them "inaccurate and exaggerated."

Federal data shows 98 homicides in the city so far this year, but the overall violent crime rate remains at its lowest in three decades. Washington’s homeless population stands at 3,782, with approximately 800 living on the streets.