Last Sunday, former President Donald Trump shared a photo of a homeless tent encampment in Washington DC while riding in his motorcade to a golf club. In his post on Truth Social, Trump declared, "The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," alongside photos, including one of Bill Theodie, a 66-year-old man shown sitting by his tent. This prompted swift action, culminating in the removal of Theodie's encampment just days later.
Theodie expressed disbelief at being used as a political tool, stating, "That is insane that he just leaned out the window and takes a picture of me." On Monday, in a speech at the White House, Trump declared his administration would be "removing homeless encampments from all over our parks."
Following Trump's announcement, local officials arrived at the encampment to advise residents of their imminent eviction. The BBC Verify team traced the visual evidence from Trump's photos to locate the encampment, which was just a short drive from the White House. Upon visiting the site, Theodie reiterated his effort to maintain cleanliness at the encampment. He has struggled to find stable employment since 2018 but managed to pick up sporadic construction work.
By Thursday, local authorities instructed residents to vacate immediately, with a bulldozer arriving to remove tents and belongings. The DC Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged that while removals typically come with prior notice, they had expedited this process following Trump's comments.
Statistics indicate that the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in DC has decreased, with 97 people living in encampments as opposed to 294 in prior years. Yet, about 800 remain without shelter despite the city’s efforts to provide alternatives, including mental health and addiction services.
Theodie, resistant to the idea of shelter living due to safety concerns, temporarily stayed in a Virginia motel thanks to a donation that covered his costs. He expressed gratitude for the comfort of a secure place to sleep, but remained uncertain of his next steps once he left the motel.
Meanwhile, another encampment resident, George Morgan, 65, recounted his journey to homelessness after losing his apartment. Morgan, attempting to preserve his bond with his dog, has also found temporary shelter through charity. As Morgan reflects on his uncertain future, he remains hopeful for continued support as he navigates this difficult phase of his life in Washington DC.
