US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a new order to relocate the nation's homeless population to a location away from the capital, citing security and beautification needs.
Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to take full control of Washington from local government, is expected to announce a detailed plan at a press conference today.
Through his Truth Social platform, Trump said his party would provide shelter for the homeless but it would be located away from the capital, warning that criminals would be imprisoned immediately.
The order came despite official statistics showing that the violent crime rate in Washington fell 26% in the first half of 2025, while the overall figure in 2024 was the lowest in three decades.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser dismissed claims of an increase in crime and described any comparison of the city to a "war-torn country" as an exaggeration.
Trump's move also follows his previous threat to deploy the National Guard to the capital, as well as sending California reservists to Los Angeles to quell immigration protests despite objections from local authorities.
