Last year marked the lowest level of violent crime in Washington, D.C., in more than 30 years, but President Donald Trump has raised concerns about public safety in the city, teasing a plan that would also target its homeless population.
"I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before," Trump said on Truth Social on Aug. 10. "The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital."
In a series of social media posts, Trump said he would unveil his initiative on Aug. 11, adding it would address the city's crime and the "Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well maintained Capital."
The president threatened to "take Federal control" of Washington, D.C., in an Aug. 5 post complaining about crime. The post came after Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency nicknamed "BigBalls," was assaulted in an attempted carjacking.