President Trump signaled he was ramping up plans to address violence and crime in Washington, D.C., reiterating he would have a news conference at the White House on Monday, adding, “There will be no ‘Mr. Nice Guy.’
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital,” Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday.
“The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong. It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border.
We went from millions pouring in, to ZERO in the last few months. This will be easier — Be prepared! There will be no “MR. NICE GUY.” We want our Capital BACK. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he continued.
Last week, the president ordered federal law enforcement officials to patrol the streets in Washington for a week. These efforts are led by the U.S. Park Police and include officers and agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), divisions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies, according to the White House.
Trump has also previously floated a federal overhaul of the city, which would require Congressional approval.
Earlier this year, he signed an executive order establishing a task force to make D.C. “safe and beautiful,” which is “to ensure effective federal participation.”
“As the Federal capital city, Washington, D.C., is the only city that belongs to all Americans and that all Americans can claim as theirs. As the capital city of the greatest Nation in the history of the world, it should showcase beautiful, clean, and safe public spaces,” the order said.
It also directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to remove all homeless people from the Capital.
Federalization talks intensified after two 15-year-olds were arrested last week in connection with the attempted carjacking of former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls.”
Trump called for D.C. to change its law to charge teens 14 years or older as adults, as he blamed the city’s crime rates on “youths.”
“Washington, DC is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long. President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
According to data from the District, crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024, the lowest it’s been since 2024.
Trump’s Sunday post was similar to a day earlier, where he claimed that D.C. “will soon be the safest” city,
