Donald Trump is back on his law and order playbook This time, the nation’s homeless population is the focus.
On Thursday (July 24), Trump signed a new executive order titled “Ending Vagrancy and Restoring Order.” This will be a dramatic shifts on how the federal government handles homelessness. I’m suspicious, but let’s take this walk together.
The directive empowers the Attorney General Pam Bondi to upend prior judicial rulings and scrap consent decrees. They currently block local and state officials from removing unhoused (homeless) individuals from public spaces. In essence, aims to relocate people from tents to treatment centers.
They’re framing this move as a solution, but the language in the policy has already sparked major concern. You better believe it. According to the executive order, federal funding will now be funneled into creating and expanding rehabilitation, mental health and treatment facilities designed to “receive” homeless individuals. There are parts in this order that includes “involuntary placements” and that’s vague.
The order explicitly blocks registered sex offenders from being housed near children. There are also some women and children only shelters. Some are crying foul about discrimination and inclusivity in these housing programs. I don’t see an issue with the sex offenders part, but hopefully they’re not separating functional families. Something still smells weird.
Needless to say, there’s something wrong in America. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 771,480 people experienced homelessness in 2024 and nearly 168,000 were chronically homeless. I think the need to rethink how they approach this, especially when looking at the statement they released. Go buy some empathy.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sent a firm statement to Newsweek, saying: “By removing vagrant criminals from our streets and redirecting resources toward substance abuse programs, the Trump Administration will ensure that Americans feel safe in their own communities and that individuals suffering from addiction or mental health struggles are able to get the help they need.”
Now they are linking homelessness to criminality. Really? And they seems to be forcing rehabilitation on their terms. In March, Trump targeted homeless encampments on federal lands and launched the National Center for Warrior Independence. Sounds nice, but it’s for homeless veterans. How did they get that way?
In 2024, the Supreme Court flexed on the homeless, backing Trump. They voted on a case that upheld bans on homeless encampments in Grants Pass, Oregon. In a 6–3 decision, the justices ruled that removing people from public land does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. It certainly criminalizes having a downfall. They just want to sweep these humans off the streets like trash.
Is this a genuine attempt at reform or a Draconian power play?
Stay tuned.