Trump Cracks Down on Homelessness, Deploys National Guard to Washington, D.C. | WPN World People News

U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a large-scale crackdown on homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C., deploying the National Guard to the capital in a move he says is aimed at restoring “law and order.” The decision has sparked fierce backlash from local authorities and civil rights groups, who criticize it as an unprecedented expansion of federal power.

Trump posted on social media, stating that the homelessness crisis and deteriorating public safety in D.C. have severely damaged the nation’s image and security. He stressed the need to “immediately clear the streets of tents and drugs.” He added that the homeless would be relocated to shelters outside the city center, and those who refuse may face arrest.

A White House spokesperson later confirmed that Trump had invoked provisions of the *District of Columbia Home Rule Act* to place the D.C. police under the command of the U.S. Department of Justice. Approximately 800 National Guard troops have been deployed to assist with enforcement. On the first day of the operation, federal and local officers arrested more than 20 individuals on charges including firearms possession, drug offenses, violence, and drunk driving, and confiscated several illegal weapons.

Trump declared this was “the first step in taking back the capital,” saying cleanup efforts will continue over the coming weeks, with intensified crackdowns on drugs, gangs, and undocumented immigrants. He criticized past local administrations for “tolerating chaos,” which he claimed left the areas around Congress and major streets “dangerous and filthy.”

However, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser strongly objected to the move, pointing out that violent crime in the city has already dropped by over 20% this year and is now at its lowest level in 30 years, showing no security crisis that would justify federal intervention. She accused Trump of disregarding local autonomy and using the capital as a political stage.

Several legal experts and civil rights organizations also warned that the move may violate constitutional protections for local self-governance and infringe on the rights of the homeless. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) condemned the forced removals and arrests of unhoused individuals, saying it criminalizes poverty and does nothing to address root issues such as addiction and housing.

For now, tensions between federal and local governments continue to rise. The Trump administration insists the operation will proceed until the capital is “restored to order and dignity,” while opponents are threatening legal action to block the federal takeover and military deployment. The controversy, centered around public safety, poverty, and constitutional authority, is expected to ignite broader debate across American society.