White House says those refusing shelter or treatment services will face jail as enforcement ramps up
The White House says those living in homeless encampments in the nation’s capital will have two choices in the coming days: accept treatment at a homeless shelter, or go to jail.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the ultimatum during a Tuesday press conference as reporters prodded about President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s law enforcement. She said many of the homeless encampments across the city have already been dismantled, and those that remain she expected to be dealt with this week.
“Seventy homeless encampments have been removed by the U.S. Park Police,” Leavitt said, adding that the Metropolitan Police Department would be joining the Park Police in the effort. “There are only two homeless encampments remaining in D.C. federal parks under the National Park Service’s jurisdiction, and the removal of those two remaining camps is scheduled for this week.”
Asked about what options are available to those in homeless encampments, Leavitt was blunt: “homeless shelters, for addiction and mental health services, or jail if they refuse, are the options on the table right now.”
Trump himself had floated the idea of relocating homeless encampments to locations well outside the city. Leavitt confirmed the administration is “exploring” the option, but said it is not yet on the table.
A tour by Fox News Digital found that many former hotspots for the homeless have been cleared, with only abandoned clothing and scattered food containers left behind as signs of recent life as of this week.
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