While we are targeting criminals and trying to remove criminals off of the streets, we also want to make DC safe and beautiful,” Leavitt said Tuesday.

This follows President Donald Trump’s executive action to crack down on crime and homelessness in D.C. Trump suggested people could be relocated far outside the capital. A social services advocate said moving people away from outreach workers and meal programs will interrupt services and traumatize them further.

The clearing of homeless encampments in the nation's capital is unfolding under what President Donald Trump calls his Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. For many of those targeted, there's