Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to aggressively tackle homelessness and crime in Washington, DC if re-elected, vowing on Sunday to remove homeless individuals from the capital and jail criminals swiftly.
In a statement posted to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. We want our Capital BACK.”
He added:
“The homeless have to move out, immediately. We will give you places to stay, but far from the Capital. The criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong. It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border. This will be easier — be prepared! There will be no ‘Mr. Nice Guy.’”
Trump is expected to provide more details at a scheduled press conference on Monday.
His comments follow a recent violent incident in the city that made headlines — the assault of Edward Coristine, 19, a former government efficiency staffer known online as “Big Balls.” Coristine, now with the Social Security Administration, was reportedly attacked near DuPont Circle by a group of youths while trying to intervene in a suspected carjacking. Two suspects have been arrested, and authorities have offered a $10,000 reward for information on the remaining individuals involved.
Trump also recently announced plans to deploy federal law enforcement officers across Washington, DC to address what he claims is spiraling crime and deteriorating public safety.
Homeless encampments have become more visible throughout DC — an issue mirrored in other major U.S. cities. Some Republican leaders have floated the idea of placing the city under more direct federal control, citing concerns over governance and public safety.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to Trump’s remarks, saying the city is already working closely with federal law enforcement and pushed back on the claim of a crime surge:
“He’s interested in being in neighborhoods, fighting crime in neighborhoods. We are not experiencing a crime spike.”
Despite political differences, Bowser has met with Trump in the past and has expressed mutual interest in making the nation’s capital safer and cleaner.
According to the DC Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime in the city is down 26% compared to last year, with homicides down 12% and overall crime down 7%. However, Washington, DC still ranked fourth-highest in homicide rates nationwide in 2023.
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller took a harsher tone, controversially describing Washington as “more violent than Baghdad” — a comparison that has drawn criticism and lacks confirmed data.
