On August 11, 2025, President Trump promised to take new measures to address the issue of homelessness and escalating street crimes in Washington D.C. He announced that a press conference would be held on Monday, August 11, to discuss these matters. Trump had already ordered the enhancement of federal law enforcement.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on August 10, Trump declared that the press conference would focus on addressing the security and beautification issues in Washington D.C.
The discussions will not only involve the “end of crime, murders, and deaths in the capital city”, but also the cleanliness of the city and the renovation of public facilities. Trump criticized the current renovation projects, particularly the $3.1 billion renovation project of the Federal Reserve building, deeming it inefficient and wasteful. He suggested that reducing the funding to $50 million to $100 million would lead to quicker and more efficient completion of the renovations, saving $3 billion and reducing traffic congestion and long-term construction.
Regarding the current state of Washington D.C., Trump stated that the city’s attempts to improve security had not been effective and criticized it for becoming increasingly dirty and unappealing. He emphasized that the American people would no longer tolerate such conditions.
Trump compared the current situation in Washington to his handling of border issues, highlighting his success in reducing illegal border crossings to “zero” last month and promising to restore the capital’s prosperity in a similar manner. He reminisced about a time when the capital was one of the most beautiful in the world before it became plagued by tents, dirt, pollution, and crime. He guaranteed that the capital would soon regain its former glory.
On the same day, Trump stated in another post that homeless individuals would be relocated “immediately” from the capital, with the government providing relocation sites away from the city center. As for criminals, Trump vowed to take strict measures, stating, “You don’t need to move; we will send you to jail.”
Earlier this month, a shocking act of violence occurred in Washington D.C. On August 3, in the early hours, Edward Coristine, a senior member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and current special government employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA), was severely beaten by a group of teenagers while trying to stop a carjacking. He sustained serious injuries and a mild concussion. Two 15-year-old suspects have been arrested by the police, with the search for other individuals involved ongoing.
In response, Trump criticized the serious and uncontrolled violence crime in Washington D.C. on social media last Wednesday, August 6. He mentioned a large number of 14 to 16-year-old teenagers and gang members randomly attacking, robbing, and shooting citizens, quickly being released with no fear due to lenient laws.
He called for legislative amendments to prosecute and imprison serious offenders under adult standards starting from age 14. He warned that if the local government failed to improve security promptly, he would consider utilizing powers to place the capital under direct federal management.
Considering deploying the National Guard to combat crime in Washington D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her views in an interview on MSNBC’s The Weekend on Sunday, stating, “I don’t think this is the most effective use of the National Guard.” She acknowledged, “It’s up to the President to decide how to deploy the National Guard.”
She noted that violent crime in Washington had decreased since it began to rise in 2023. This marks the first public statement from Bowser since Trump began focusing on crime issues in Washington last week.
Trump instructed federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Park Police, Capitol Police, DEA, and FBI, to increase their presence in Washington D.C., focusing on patrolling tourist spots and high traffic areas. The operation is set to last for a week, with the possibility of extension if necessary.
Trump has hinted multiple times that the management of Washington D.C. could be reverted to federal government control. Achieving this would require repealing the Home Rule Act of 1973, according to Trump, who mentioned that his legal team is exploring this possibility.
(Reference to relevant reports from the Associated Press)