Fact Check: National guard troops have recently been deployed to round up homeless people.

Fact-Check: "National guard troops have recently been deployed to round up homeless people."

What We Know

On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as part of a broader initiative to address crime and homelessness in the city. He declared a "public safety emergency" and stated that the National Guard would assist local law enforcement in combating what he described as a situation of "complete and total lawlessness" (BBC, AP News).

Trump's plan included taking control of the D.C. police department and removing homeless encampments, which he referred to as "slums" (Reuters). The president's rhetoric suggested a crackdown on homelessness, stating that he intended to "get rid of the slums" and that homeless individuals would be offered options to leave their encampments (NPR, New York Times).

However, local officials, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, have pushed back against Trump's claims, asserting that crime rates have actually decreased in recent months and that the situation is not as dire as portrayed by the president (AP News, BBC).

Analysis

The claim that National Guard troops have been deployed to "round up homeless people" is partially true. While it is accurate that the National Guard has been deployed and that the president's plan includes addressing homelessness, the specifics of the operation are more nuanced.

Deployment Context: The deployment is framed within a larger public safety initiative that includes addressing crime, not solely focused on homelessness. The National Guard's role is to support local law enforcement, which has historically included various public safety responsibilities (Wikipedia, Reuters).
Homelessness Strategy: Trump's comments about "getting rid of the slums" and the removal of homeless encampments have raised concerns among advocates. Critics argue that such measures may not address the root causes of homelessness and could lead to further marginalization of vulnerable populations (NPR, KVCR News).
Local Response: Mayor Bowser and other local officials have expressed that the crime situation in D.C. is improving, countering Trump's narrative. They have also indicated that the president's portrayal of the city is exaggerated and not reflective of the current reality (BBC, AP News).
Source Reliability: The sources cited range from reputable news organizations like the BBC and AP News to advocacy groups and local officials. While the reports from these sources provide a comprehensive view of the situation, it is essential to consider potential biases, especially given the politically charged context of Trump's administration and the ongoing debates about crime and homelessness in urban areas.

Conclusion

The claim that National Guard troops have been deployed to round up homeless people is partially true. While there is a deployment of National Guard troops with a stated intention to address homelessness, the broader context of crime reduction and public safety efforts complicates the narrative. The actions taken may not solely focus on rounding up homeless individuals but rather involve a more extensive approach to public safety that has sparked significant debate and concern among local officials and advocacy groups.

Fact Check: National guard troops have recently been deployed to round up homeless people.