D.C. Mayor Bowser Adopts Tougher Stance on Trump Amid Intensifying Homelessness Crackdown
Washington, D.C. — As the federal government ramps up efforts to remove homeless encampments in the nation’s capital, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has shifted her tone regarding former President Trump’s policies on homelessness. The change follows a series of executive orders and enforcement actions targeting homeless populations on federal lands within D.C.
On the streets of Washington, there are approximately 798 unhoused individuals on any given night, according to data from the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness. The issue has become increasingly contentious as federal authorities, under orders from Trump signed earlier this year, have accelerated the clearance of homeless camps, sparking debate over the best approach to addressing homelessness.
Earlier in 2025, Trump issued an executive order directing the U.S. Park Police to remove homeless encampments from federal lands in D.C. The Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, confirmed that over 70 homeless camps have already been dismantled. Furthermore, a subsequent executive order sought to simplify the process for cities and states to move homeless individuals into treatment programs by reversing certain judicial decisions, ending consent decrees, and reallocating federal funds toward substance abuse treatment rather than a “housing first” approach.
Mayor Bowser, who had previously been more measured in her public comments about the former president’s homelessness policies, acknowledged the shift in her stance during recent statements. She referenced ongoing coordination with Florida Attorney General Bondi, named in a prior executive order as a point of contact regarding homelessness initiatives, signaling a more direct engagement with federal efforts.
However, Bowser’s change in tone has sparked concern among local homeless advocates. They warn that clearing encampments disrupts critical connections between individuals and the support services they rely on. Advocates argue that stable, affordable housing with comprehensive supportive services remains the most effective way to combat chronic homelessness.
“When we clear encampments, we disconnect people from the services they need to survive and to start the process of being housed, and often disconnect them from their belongings and from the communities that they formed in encampments,” explained a spokesperson for a local homelessness advocacy group, underscoring the complex ramifications of the crackdown.
Despite the pushback, the Trump administration’s approach highlights a broader shift toward law enforcement and treatment over housing prioritization in homelessness policy. This has raised questions about the long-term effectiveness and humanitarian impact of such tactics in a city grappling with persistent housing insecurity.
As the crackdown continues, D.C. officials and advocates will need to balance enforcement with compassionate support to address the root causes of homelessness, while responding to federal mandates and evolving policy landscapes.