Former President Donald Trump has initiated a series of controversial measures aimed at addressing crime and homelessness in Washington, D.C. These actions follow a period of increasing controversy between his administration and local leaders, along with competing claims over crime statistics.
In a sprawling policy statement earlier this week, Trump proposed a new census. He argues that this census must exclude undocumented immigrants to ensure a more accurate representation of American citizens. He has gone so far as to threaten new tariffs on Indian imports, increasing them to 50% on account of Indian purchases of Russian oil. One, because Trump’s administration treats foreign investment pledges as charity, complicating economic relations even more.
One of the most striking aspects of Trump’s recent actions is his directive regarding the homeless population in the nation’s capital. He ordered the homeless to “clear out, effective IMMEDIATELY,” offering to relocate them to other accommodations miles away from the Capitol. Trump stated, “It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border,” emphasizing his administration’s urgency in resolving the issue.
Alongside this order, Trump is scheduled to give a speech at the White House today, addressing the rise of violent crime in D.C. His alarmist call-to-arms on crime completely contradicts the Justice Department’s statistics. That data clearly indicates that crime rates citywide are, contrary to NOPD’s fears, still declining. This discrepancy has sparked ire from Democratic leadership, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who remarked, “Any comparison to a war-torn country is hyperbolic and false.”
Trump’s tactic has gotten more aggressive in recent weeks. He plans to hold a press availability at the White House to discuss crime control measures, which include a seven-day initiative to enhance federal law enforcement presence in the city.
Additionally, he cautioned judges from striking down tariffs, claiming that those duties are “a tremendous benefit” to the economy. Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, a meeting that may further impact international relations.