DC homeless relocation plan under federal review

President Trump aims to relocate homeless people from Washington DC as part of a federal policing push, raising questions about how it would be carried out.

Trump plan to move homeless from Washington DC faces scrutiny

President Trump said homeless people in the capital will be moved far from the city as part of a federal takeover of policing in the District of Columbia. He has not provided specific locations or funding details. The White House press secretary said the goal is to enforce existing laws and offer options like shelters and services. The city says it has added shelter space and outreach teams, and notes the 2025 point in time count found 5,138 adults and children homeless, a 9 percent drop from the previous year.

Details on how people would be moved and housed remain unclear. Officials say local police and federal agencies will relocate encampment residents or offer shelter; those who refuse could face fines or jail. Critics warn the plan risks pushing people away from services and could spark legal challenges. Residents and advocates say the focus should be on roots of homelessness and crime rather than forced removal.

The move tests the balance between public safety and humanitarian aid. When federal power is used to solve a city problem, trust with residents can fracture quickly if people feel displaced or criminalized. The plan highlights a broader debate about the proper role of the federal government in local policing and the limits of relocation as a policy tool.
Long term, the plan could widen the gap between the city focus on homelessness and the needs on the ground. Without clear housing commitments and accountability, the move risks becoming a political signal rather than a lasting solution.

Highlights

Policy choices must balance safety with dignity and lasting solutions