As President Donald Trump cracks down on crime and rampant homelessness in Washington, D.C., homeless individuals weighed in on what they think of the administration’s efforts to clean up the streets. (Fox News Digital/Nicholas Ballasy)
"As part of this vision, HUD is committed to bringing back order by ending the cycle of government dependency that has enabled perpetual homelessness. Helping our nation’s most vulnerable starts with giving them the tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency, not endless government handouts," he added.
In a post earlier this week, Turner noted that "crime halts revitalization in its tracks."
A major part of the federal government’s crackdown in the city is clearing out homeless encampments on land throughout Washington, D.C., that falls under the National Park Service’s purview.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained in a briefing on Tuesday that the options are for people to agree to get assistance, or face time behind bars.
"Seventy homeless encampments have been removed by the U.S. Park Police," Leavitt said.
I SUPPORT TRUMP TAKING CONTROL OF DC POLICE — THE CONSTITUTION IS ON HIS SIDE
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a news conference to address the impact of the proposed continuing resolution on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
"You've heard me talking about youth a lot in the last several months, especially youth who are participating in really destructive, disruptive behavior with these kind of youth takeovers," the mayor also said this week. "Some of them are our kids. Some of them are coming across the region to descend on places like the Navy Yard. So parents — this is not the first time you've heard me say this — so parents, you really need to know where your kids are. I think we really have some kids that are, you know, not criminals, but they are getting together in big groups and causing some really — they're causing destruction."
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The D.C. Police Union backed the Trump administration’s latest actions, saying it could serve as a critical turning point for the city on crime.
"Last night, DC suffered the grave milestone of its 100th homicide for 2025. Let’s hope this federal intervention leads to real change to the laws in DC that allow this to happen year after year," the group posted on August 12.
Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-trump-official-vows-end-cycle-government-dependency-homeless-crackdown