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Photos Show Homeless Camps Destroyed After Donald Trump's Crackdown [1]

['Jenna Sundel', 'Newsweek Contributors', 'Robert Weissman', 'Lisa Gilbert']

Date: 2025-08-15 11:58:47-04:00

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.

Photos from Washington, D.C., show crews dismantling a homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday as the Trump administration cracks down on crime and homelessness in the city.

A homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial is cleared by employees of the Washington, D.C., government August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial is cleared by employees of the Washington, D.C., government August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Why it Matters

The Trump administration announced on Monday that Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department will be placed under federal control.

President Donald Trump said at a press conference that the city "has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people."

"We're not going to let it happen anymore. We're not going to take it," Trump said.

Violent crime is down 26 percent this year compared to this time last year, according to data from Washington, D.C. police.

In March, Trump signed an executive order entitled "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful." The order required Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to issue a directive to the National Park Service requiring the removal and cleanup of all homeless encampments on federal land under the National Park Service's jurisdiction in the city.

Advocates have warned that encampment clearings without sufficient shelter capacity could leave vulnerable people displaced and, in some cases, facing fines or arrest if they decline the shelter options being offered.

"Fines, arrests, and encampment evictions make homelessness worse, further traumatize our homeless neighbors while disconnecting them from community and support," Dana White, director of advocacy for nonprofit Miriam's Kitchen, told USA TODAY.

What To Know

A group of about eight people broke down their tents and placed their belongings in garbage bags with help from city workers and homeless advocacy groups, USA TODAY reported.

People collect their belongings as D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. People collect their belongings as D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

The remaining tents and everything inside them were bulldozed and taken to a landfill, according to the outlet.

D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Members of the encampment were notified at about 10 p.m. Wednesday that a "scheduled encampment cleanup" would occur, according to NBC Washington.

A note is posted on a tent detailing a scheduled encampment cleanup by the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in Washington Circle on August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A note is posted on a tent detailing a scheduled encampment cleanup by the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in Washington Circle on August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

A small group of protesters gathered near the site. Signs read, "Being unhoused is not a crime" and "Being poor is not a crime."

Members of various church groups hold signs advocating support for homeless people at a homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Members of various church groups hold signs advocating support for homeless people at a homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

What People Are Saying

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, at a press briefing: "Homeless individuals will be given the option to leave their encampment, to be taken to a homeless shelter, to be offered addiction or mental health services. If they refuse, they will be subjected to fines or jail time."

President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "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."

Dana White, director of advocacy for Miriam's Kitchen, in comments to USA TODAY: "If policing resolved homelessness, we wouldn't have homelessness here in DC or anywhere else in this country."

What Happens Next

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing on Tuesday that people living in encampments will be offered shelter beds and social services. Those who refuse will be subjected to fines or jail time, according to Leavitt.

A man clears his belongings from a homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A man clears his belongings from a homeless encampment near the Lincoln Memorial August 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. D.C. city workers dismantle tents and remove personal belongings during a sweep of a homeless encampment in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, D.C., on August 14, 2025. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

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