Overview

• President Trump has instructed Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to remove homeless encampments near the White House and State Department, citing safety and aesthetics concerns.
• Trump emphasized that if Bowser fails to act, the federal government will intervene to address the issue directly.
• The president has previously proposed federal oversight of D.C., citing concerns about crime and mismanagement in the nation's capital.
• Bowser has acknowledged the city’s ongoing efforts to clear encampments but has faced criticism from Trump and congressional Republicans over crime and governance.
• The directive comes as D.C. prepares for changes to Black Lives Matter Plaza and ongoing debates about federal control and local autonomy.