US military prepares National Guard activation in DC amid Trump’s crackdown on homeless people

The US military is gearing up to activate hundreds of National Guard troops in Washington, DC, according to two US officials who spoke to news agency Reuters on Sunday. While preparations are underway, a final deployment decision rests with President Donald Trump.

An official said it is unclear what specific roles the troops would undertake, suggesting they could assist in protecting federal agents or handle administrative duties to free up local law enforcement.

TRUMP VOWS EVICTION OF HOMELESS, CRACKDOWN ON CRIME

President Trump intensified his tough rhetoric on Sunday, vowing to remove homeless people from the nation’s capital and jail criminals. “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,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

The White House has yet to clarify under what legal authority Trump intends to carry out the eviction plan, noting that the president’s control is limited to federal land and buildings within the city.

Trump is expected to hold a press conference on Monday focused on “stopping violent crime in Washington, DC,” though it is unclear if he will disclose further details about the eviction strategy.

In his Truth Social post, he shared photos showing tents and trash-covered streets in DC, along with the message: “I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.”

The Community Partnership, a group working to reduce homelessness in Washington, reports that on any given night, approximately 3,782 single individuals experience homelessness in the city of around 700,000 residents. The majority reside in emergency shelters or transitional housing, while about 800 remain unsheltered on the streets.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPLOYMENT

According to Reuters, a White House official confirmed on Friday that more federal law enforcement officers were deployed in response to a violent attack on a young Trump administration staffer, which reportedly angered the president.

On Saturday, federal agents investigated alleged crimes including unlicensed pistol possession, driving with suspended licenses, and dirt bike riding. The official said roughly 450 federal officers were stationed across the city.

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With inputs from Reuters