Trump pledged to move homeless people from Washington. What we know and don't know about his plans
With his exact plans unclear, there is concern among advocates and others who say there are better ways to address the issue of homelessness than clearing encampments, as the Republican administration has pledged to do.
Washington's status as a congressionally established federal district gives Trump the opportunity to push his tough-on-crime agenda, though he has not proposed solutions to the root causes of homelessness or crime.
Here's a look at what we know and what questions remain about how Trump's actions will affect the city's homeless population:
How many homeless people are in Washington?It is difficult to obtain accurate counts of homeless populations.
On one day at the end of each January, municipal agencies across the United States perform what is called a 'point-in-time' count aimed at capturing the total number of people in emergency shelters, transitional housing or without any housing.
The 2025 count in the district put the total at 5,138 adults and children, a 9% decrease compared with the year before, according to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Where will the city's homeless people be taken?
It's not entirely clear.
Trump wrote on his social media site before Monday's news conference announcing the takeover that 'The homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital.'
Asked during a media briefing at the White House on Tuesday where homeless people would be relocated, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said local police and federal agencies would 'enforce the laws that are already on the books,' which, she said, 'have been completely ignored.'
Citing a city regulation that she said gives local police 'the authority to take action when it comes to homeless encampments,' Leavitt said homeless people 'will be given the option to leave their encampment, to be taken to a homeless shelter, to be offered addiction or mental health services.' Those who refuse 'will be susceptible to fines or to jail time.'
In the past five months, the U.S. Park Police has removed 70 homeless encampments, giving the people living in them the same options, she said. As of Tuesday, Leavitt said only two homeless encampments remained in district parks maintained by the National Park Service and would be removed this week.
What are city officials doing for the homeless?
District officials said Tuesday they were making additional shelter space available after Trump said federal agents would remove homeless people in the city.
Kevin Donahue, the city administrator, said outreach workers were visiting homeless encampments and that the city has a building available that could house as many as 200 people, if needed.
Donahue made the comments during a conversation with community advocates and Bowser. The conversation was broadcast on X.
He said the outreach would continue through the week with a 'greater level of urgency.'
Bowser said that when Trump sees homeless encampments in the city it 'triggers something in him that has him believing our very beautiful city is dirty, which it is not.'
What are Washington residents saying?
Washington residents emphasized reductions in crime in recent years and concerns over the removal of homeless encampments in interviews Tuesday criticizing the federal takeover of the city's police department.
Jeraod Tyre, who has lived in the city for 15 years, said 'crime has been slowing down lately' and argued that federal troops would only escalate tensions because they do not have 'relationships with the people in the community' like local police do.
Sheiena Taylor, 36, said she is more fearful as a result of the presence of federal forces in the city where she was born and raised.
Taylor said she has seen federal officers around her home and on the subway and worries about their targeting of young people and people experiencing homelessness.
'Being homeless isn't a crime,' she said, emphasizing the need for solutions to the root causes of homelessness or crime rather than policing.
What do we still not know?
It's not exactly clear what agents specifically will be tasked with moving homeless people to areas outside the city.
There also hasn't been detailed information about how the people will be housed or provided for in new locations.
Some advocates have raised constitutional questions about the legality of forcibly removing homeless people from the city.
___
Associated Press writers River Zhang, Christine Fernando, Mike Balsamo and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
___
Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
FTSE 100 LIVE: Markets muted as Zelensky to meet Starmer before Trump-Putin summit
The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) fell and European stocks moved cautiously higher on Thursday morning, gaining ground amid rising hopes of a potential ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. UK prime minister Keir Starmer said this week there is a "viable chance" of an end to the conflict ahead of US president Donald Trump's meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump warned of "very severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to end the war in Ukraine. Trump spoke with European leaders on Wednesday. Starmer said that "any ceasefire would have to be lasting and to be lasting it would need security guarantees[...] That is why we set up this coalition of the willing." Markets in London were also reacting to the latest UK GDP figures, which showed that growth slowed in the second quarter — the latest data point evidencing the shaky ground the UK economy is standing on heading into the autumn budget. London stocks fell about 0.3% at the opening bell. Commodities stocks such as Rio Tinto (RIO.L) and Shell (SHEL.L) were among the top fallers in the index. The DAX (^GDAXI) in Germany ticked up 0.1% Paris's CAC 40 (^FCHI) rose 0.2% The pan-European STOXX 600 (^STOXX) gained around 0.1% ahead of the latest EU GDP reading. Admiral stock pops AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould, said: Bitcoin at record highs Yahoo Finance UK's Brian McGleenon writes: Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged to a new all-time high above $123,500 (£90,984) in early Thursday trading, extending a week-long rally that has lifted the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin briefly traded at $123,512 before easing back to around $121,700. The world's biggest cryptocurrency is now up more than 6% over the past week, breaking through its previous July peak of just over $120,000. 'Bitcoin's latest rally reflects the blurring lines between crypto and traditional assets, happening faster than institutional adoption timelines predicted,' VOOI CEO and co-founder Will K said. 'While ETFs brought institutions into bitcoin, retail traders are returning to evolved decentralised platforms that have shed their clunky origins.' Read more on Yahoo Finance UK UK industrial production figures outstrip expectations Here are the top line figures: Drop in rental listings spells price rises: RICS Yahoo Finance UK's Pedro Goncalves writes: The supply of new rental properties in the UK has fallen at its fastest rate in five years, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The latest survey reveals that 31% of surveyors saw a decline in new instructions from landlords, marking the weakest reading since April 2020. This sharp drop reflects a "firmly negative trend" in the number of rental properties coming onto the market. Despite this downturn in supply, tenant demand remained stable over the three months leading up to July. With fewer properties becoming available, rental prices are expected to continue rising. A net balance of 25% of survey participants anticipate higher rents in the coming months. In the sales market, new buyer inquiries also showed signs of weakening in July. A net balance of 6% of property professionals reported a decline in fresh inquiries from buyers, suggesting a softening in demand compared to June, when a net balance of 4% had observed an uptick. Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Investors bet on a slow in pace of ECB rate cuts: Reuters Reuters has a take on the cooling bets for further interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank. Here's what they said: Dow within striking distance of all-time highs as US rate cut priced in US stock futures slightly pared gains seen on Wednesday. Over the past few sessions there has been a bullish sentiment following the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Though the data showed inflation had ticked up, it increased less than expected. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also on Wednesday called on the Fed to lower rates by 150 to 175 basis points. "I think we could go into a series of rate cuts here, starting with a 50 basis point rate cut in September," he told Bloomberg. The result has been a surge in bets that the Fed would cut interest rates at its September policy meeting, especially in light of recent warning signs the labor market is weakening. By Wednesday afternoon, traders had fully priced in a September cut, according to the CME Group, with bets also rising on a potential "jumbo" cut of 50 basis points. Weaker growth bad sign for consumers, say analysts Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, said: 'More to do', says Reeves Chancellor Rachel Reeves commented on the GDP figures: UK economic growth slows between April and June Pedro Goncalves was up bright and early covering UK GDP. Here's what he found: The UK economy's growth slowed between April and June, according to official figures, as US president Donald Trump's tariffs hit and businesses grappled with higher costs. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slowed to 0.3% in the three months to the end of June, down from a rate of 0.7% in the first quarter. Economists polled by Reuters, as well as the Bank of England, had forecast 0.1% growth in GDP for the April-June period. Growth in the latest quarter was driven by increases of 0.4% in services and 1.2% in construction, while the production sector fell by 0.3% ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: 'Growth slowed in the second quarter after a strong start to the year. The economy was weak across April and May, with some activity having been brought forward to February and March ahead of stamp duty and tariff changes, but then recovered strongly in June. Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Good morning! Hello again. Lucy Harley-McKeown here, ready for another day of rolling markets coverage for European hours. Two important things we'll be covering off today related to the UK economy: The latest GDP reading The RICS house price index Elsewhere, economic twitchers will be watching the UK industrial, manufacturing and construction output and EU GDP. There are first-half results rolling in from: Aviva (AV.L), Admiral (ADM.L), Antofagasta (ANTO.L) and Savills (SVS.L) In the US, Birkenstock (BIRK) is set to report results. Let's get to stock pops AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould, said: AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould, said: Bitcoin at record highs Yahoo Finance UK's Brian McGleenon writes: Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged to a new all-time high above $123,500 (£90,984) in early Thursday trading, extending a week-long rally that has lifted the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin briefly traded at $123,512 before easing back to around $121,700. The world's biggest cryptocurrency is now up more than 6% over the past week, breaking through its previous July peak of just over $120,000. 'Bitcoin's latest rally reflects the blurring lines between crypto and traditional assets, happening faster than institutional adoption timelines predicted,' VOOI CEO and co-founder Will K said. 'While ETFs brought institutions into bitcoin, retail traders are returning to evolved decentralised platforms that have shed their clunky origins.' Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Yahoo Finance UK's Brian McGleenon writes: Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged to a new all-time high above $123,500 (£90,984) in early Thursday trading, extending a week-long rally that has lifted the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin briefly traded at $123,512 before easing back to around $121,700. The world's biggest cryptocurrency is now up more than 6% over the past week, breaking through its previous July peak of just over $120,000. 'Bitcoin's latest rally reflects the blurring lines between crypto and traditional assets, happening faster than institutional adoption timelines predicted,' VOOI CEO and co-founder Will K said. 'While ETFs brought institutions into bitcoin, retail traders are returning to evolved decentralised platforms that have shed their clunky origins.' Read more on Yahoo Finance UK UK industrial production figures outstrip expectations Here are the top line figures: Here are the top line figures: Drop in rental listings spells price rises: RICS Yahoo Finance UK's Pedro Goncalves writes: The supply of new rental properties in the UK has fallen at its fastest rate in five years, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The latest survey reveals that 31% of surveyors saw a decline in new instructions from landlords, marking the weakest reading since April 2020. This sharp drop reflects a "firmly negative trend" in the number of rental properties coming onto the market. Despite this downturn in supply, tenant demand remained stable over the three months leading up to July. With fewer properties becoming available, rental prices are expected to continue rising. A net balance of 25% of survey participants anticipate higher rents in the coming months. In the sales market, new buyer inquiries also showed signs of weakening in July. A net balance of 6% of property professionals reported a decline in fresh inquiries from buyers, suggesting a softening in demand compared to June, when a net balance of 4% had observed an uptick. Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Yahoo Finance UK's Pedro Goncalves writes: The supply of new rental properties in the UK has fallen at its fastest rate in five years, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The latest survey reveals that 31% of surveyors saw a decline in new instructions from landlords, marking the weakest reading since April 2020. This sharp drop reflects a "firmly negative trend" in the number of rental properties coming onto the market. Despite this downturn in supply, tenant demand remained stable over the three months leading up to July. With fewer properties becoming available, rental prices are expected to continue rising. A net balance of 25% of survey participants anticipate higher rents in the coming months. In the sales market, new buyer inquiries also showed signs of weakening in July. A net balance of 6% of property professionals reported a decline in fresh inquiries from buyers, suggesting a softening in demand compared to June, when a net balance of 4% had observed an uptick. Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Investors bet on a slow in pace of ECB rate cuts: Reuters Reuters has a take on the cooling bets for further interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank. Here's what they said: Reuters has a take on the cooling bets for further interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank. Here's what they said: Dow within striking distance of all-time highs as US rate cut priced in US stock futures slightly pared gains seen on Wednesday. Over the past few sessions there has been a bullish sentiment following the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Though the data showed inflation had ticked up, it increased less than expected. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also on Wednesday called on the Fed to lower rates by 150 to 175 basis points. "I think we could go into a series of rate cuts here, starting with a 50 basis point rate cut in September," he told Bloomberg. The result has been a surge in bets that the Fed would cut interest rates at its September policy meeting, especially in light of recent warning signs the labor market is weakening. By Wednesday afternoon, traders had fully priced in a September cut, according to the CME Group, with bets also rising on a potential "jumbo" cut of 50 basis points. US stock futures slightly pared gains seen on Wednesday. Over the past few sessions there has been a bullish sentiment following the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Though the data showed inflation had ticked up, it increased less than expected. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also on Wednesday called on the Fed to lower rates by 150 to 175 basis points. "I think we could go into a series of rate cuts here, starting with a 50 basis point rate cut in September," he told Bloomberg. The result has been a surge in bets that the Fed would cut interest rates at its September policy meeting, especially in light of recent warning signs the labor market is weakening. By Wednesday afternoon, traders had fully priced in a September cut, according to the CME Group, with bets also rising on a potential "jumbo" cut of 50 basis points. Weaker growth bad sign for consumers, say analysts Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, said: Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, said: 'More to do', says Reeves Chancellor Rachel Reeves commented on the GDP figures: Chancellor Rachel Reeves commented on the GDP figures: UK economic growth slows between April and June Pedro Goncalves was up bright and early covering UK GDP. Here's what he found: The UK economy's growth slowed between April and June, according to official figures, as US president Donald Trump's tariffs hit and businesses grappled with higher costs. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slowed to 0.3% in the three months to the end of June, down from a rate of 0.7% in the first quarter. Economists polled by Reuters, as well as the Bank of England, had forecast 0.1% growth in GDP for the April-June period. Growth in the latest quarter was driven by increases of 0.4% in services and 1.2% in construction, while the production sector fell by 0.3% ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: 'Growth slowed in the second quarter after a strong start to the year. The economy was weak across April and May, with some activity having been brought forward to February and March ahead of stamp duty and tariff changes, but then recovered strongly in June. Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Pedro Goncalves was up bright and early covering UK GDP. Here's what he found: The UK economy's growth slowed between April and June, according to official figures, as US president Donald Trump's tariffs hit and businesses grappled with higher costs. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slowed to 0.3% in the three months to the end of June, down from a rate of 0.7% in the first quarter. Economists polled by Reuters, as well as the Bank of England, had forecast 0.1% growth in GDP for the April-June period. Growth in the latest quarter was driven by increases of 0.4% in services and 1.2% in construction, while the production sector fell by 0.3% ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: 'Growth slowed in the second quarter after a strong start to the year. The economy was weak across April and May, with some activity having been brought forward to February and March ahead of stamp duty and tariff changes, but then recovered strongly in June. Read more on Yahoo Finance UK Good morning! Hello again. Lucy Harley-McKeown here, ready for another day of rolling markets coverage for European hours. Two important things we'll be covering off today related to the UK economy: The latest GDP reading The RICS house price index Elsewhere, economic twitchers will be watching the UK industrial, manufacturing and construction output and EU GDP. There are first-half results rolling in from: Aviva (AV.L), Admiral (ADM.L), Antofagasta (ANTO.L) and Savills (SVS.L) In the US, Birkenstock (BIRK) is set to report results. Let's get to it. Hello again. Lucy Harley-McKeown here, ready for another day of rolling markets coverage for European hours. Two important things we'll be covering off today related to the UK economy: The latest GDP reading The RICS house price index Elsewhere, economic twitchers will be watching the UK industrial, manufacturing and construction output and EU GDP. There are first-half results rolling in from: Aviva (AV.L), Admiral (ADM.L), Antofagasta (ANTO.L) and Savills (SVS.L) In the US, Birkenstock (BIRK) is set to report results. Let's get to it. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNN
2 minutes ago
- CNN
Prosecutors clear Florida deputy in arrest of a Black man punched and dragged from his car
Prosecutors will take 'no further action' against a Florida sheriff's deputy in the arrest of a Black college student pulled from his car and beaten by officers during a February traffic stop. The actions of Officer D. Bowers of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office did not constitute a crime, according to an investigative report released by the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida. A video showing officers punching and dragging William McNeil from his car sparked nationwide outrage, though Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters has said there's more to the story than the cell phone video that went viral online and that McNeil was repeatedly asked to exit his vehicle. In the investigative memo released Wednesday, prosecutors called the cell phone footage 'incomplete in scope' and said Bowers made a lawful traffic stop when he pulled McNeil over and that Bowers' use of force was justified. 'The State Attorney's Office has reviewed this matter to determine whether any of Officer Bowers' actions constitute a crime. We conclude they do not,' the report reads. According to the report, Bowers stopped McNeil for failing to turn on his headlights and buckle his seatbelt, after seeing his SUV parked outside a house the officer was surveilling for 'drug activity.' Based on a review of officer body camera footage, interviews the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office conducted with the officers involved and statements by McNeil, prosecutors said Bowers gave McNeil a dozen 'lawful commands,' which he disobeyed. After Bowers pulled him over, McNeil questioned the stop and declined to provide his license and registration. Though he earlier had his car door open while talking with an officer, he later closed it and appeared to keep it locked for about three minutes before the officers forcibly removed him, the video shows. 'It is the officers' body-worn camera footage that provides the additional needed context of the circumstances preceding, surrounding, and following McNeil's arrest,' the report reads. A statement from McNeil's lawyers, Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, called the report clearing the deputy 'little more than an attempt to justify the actions of Officer Bowers and his fellow officers after the fact.' Crump is a Black civil rights attorney who has gained national prominence representing victims of police brutality and vigilante violence. 'Frankly, we expected nothing less especially after Sheriff Waters announced their conclusions more than three weeks before the report was issued,' the statement said. 'Since they are unwilling to seek justice, we will have to request that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate this incident and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.' Previously, Crump has fiercely criticized prosecutors' finding that officers did not commit any criminal wrongdoing, saying his client remained calm while the officers who are trained to deescalate tense situations were the ones escalating violence. Crump said the case harkened back to the Civil Rights movement, when Black people were often attacked when they tried to assert their rights.
Axios
4 minutes ago
- Axios
Focus groups: Trump redistricting push could backfire with swing voters
The reaction of Georgia swing voters in our latest Engagious / Sago focus groups shows how President Trump's sudden push for redistricting could backfire on the GOP in the midterms — if Democrats can hold voters' attention. The big picture: Just four of the 11 Biden-to-Trump swing voters in Tuesday night's sessions said they could explain why more than 50 Democratic Texas legislators have left that state. But when provided with neutral facts describing the situation, none of the 11 said they support the GOP redistricting effort. All 11 oppose an effort from the state attorney general to remove some of the Democrats from office. 10 of the 11 said Texas Democrats did the right thing by leaving the state. "Once Georgia swing voters understand what Texas Republicans are attempting, they reject it," said Rich Thau, president of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups. "That said, Democrats have done a lousy job of educating swing voters about mid-decade redistricting." Zoom in: Of the 11 focus group participants, all of whom backed President Trump in November, just three now say they approve of the administration's overall actions. All 11 said they're more anxious about the economy now than when Trump took office. Seven said they disapprove of the tariffs. How it works: Axios observed two online focus groups Tuesday night that included 11 Georgia residents who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. Five are Democrats, four are independents and two are Republicans. While a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events. What they're saying: " The cost of living is ridiculous and it's not slowing down; it shows no signs of getting better," said Todd L., 42, of Atlanta. "It seems like every other day there's a new tariff or he's pissed off some other country, and just every single day there's more news about inflation and job losses," said Gavin E., 52, of Decatur. "It just keeps getting worse and worse. We're hemorrhaging. It's crazy." When it comes to the Texas redistricting dispute, Kevin J., 57, of Woodstock, said: "Doing this now and redrawing their districts, that's just they want to please Donald Trump." Said Chris Z., 36, of Norcross: "He wants it now. He wants it his way. There's a proper way to do things and he doesn't follow. ... There's no balance of power. That's just not how things operate, and it'll be a domino effect with other states doing the same thing." "Once it's done every five years, then some state will push it to two years and some state will push it to a year," said Sherrecia J., 34, of Atlanta. "It's going to become more and more ridiculous. It has to have a boundary." "What's the purpose of having laws and constitutions and protocols if they're not going to be followed?" said Olanrewaju A., 44, of Decatur. Meanwhile, Thau also spent a portion of the sessions asking these swing voters how they are using and thinking about AI. The panels followed the launch of OpenAI's GPT-5. Some communities, including in Georgia, are raising concerns about the growth of data centers and their potential strains on the power grid and the environment. 10 of the 11 said they've used some form of AI; five use ChatGPT at least weekly; eight consider themselves supporters of AI. Nine worried AI will weaken privacy protections, especially related to financial data; nine also feared AI will be used to undermine America's political system; and eight said they fear AI will figure out how to launch weapons on its own, without human commands.
