Executive Branch

Homeless People in DC to Face Fines, Jail if They Refuse Shelter, Treatment: White House

Since Trump declared an emergency in the District of Columbia on Aug. 11, the federal law enforcement presence in the nation’s capital has yielded 23 arrests.
Homeless People in DC to Face Fines, Jail if They Refuse Shelter, Treatment: White House
A person sleeps in Freedom Plaza in Washington on July 25, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Jackson Richman
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WASHINGTON—Homeless people in Washington could face fines and be jailed if they refuse to go to a shelter or receive mental health services, according to the White House.

In an Aug. 12 briefing after President Donald Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to tackle crime and homelessness in the city, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said police will enforce the district’s existing laws to deal with homeless encampments.
Jackson Richman
Jackson Richman
Author
Jackson Richman is a Washington correspondent for The Epoch Times. In addition to Washington politics, he covers the intersection of politics and sports/sports and culture. He previously was a writer at Mediaite and Washington correspondent at Jewish News Syndicate. His writing has also appeared in The Washington Examiner. He is an alum of George Washington University.
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