Progressive Area Worries DC Homeless Will Cross Border During Trump’s Enforcement

Montgomery County Officials Respond to Trump’s Actions on Homelessness

Officials in Montgomery County, Maryland, seem to be concerned about President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to address homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C. Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich, who aligns with the left-wing democratic socialists, remarked, “It’s not a question of whether more homeless individuals will show up in Maryland shelters, but when.” In a video shared online, he stood before a homeless encampment in D.C. and noted that the National Guard had dismantled “at least 70” similar sites, leading residents to either seek shelter, addiction treatment, or face incarceration.

Elrich mentioned to WJLA, an ABC affiliate, that these options for the homeless could have “dangerous ripple effects” extending into Maryland. Gonzalez pointed out that “the county’s largest shelter is already full,” and that associated programs, such as food and drop-in centers, are struggling to keep up. The outreach team is also monitoring the number of homeless people arriving daily from D.C.

County officials have expressed a commitment to do what they can but reiterated the need for the federal government to allocate more funds.

In a recent tweet, local leaders conveyed that this is not the right moment for the D.C. homeless issue to spill over into Maryland. With existing shelters already at capacity, the enforcement actions in D.C. could lead many individuals to cross state lines in search of basic needs like food and safety.

Earl Stoddard, the chief administrative officer of Montgomery County, hinted at a potential mass migration from D.C. to places like Montgomery County or Northern Virginia due to the rising crime rates there. He mentioned the concept of “voting with their feet.”

Montgomery County’s Services Director, Christine Hong, pointed out uncertainties surrounding federal plans, saying, “At this point, there’s so much uncertainty about plans from the federal government coming out of the district.” Trump instituted a crime emergency in D.C. and deployed the National Guard as a direct response to escalating violent crimes.

The D.C. Police Union has backed Trump’s initiative, with reports even suggesting that his strategies have led to noticeable improvements in areas like Union Station.

Known for being one of the most democratic counties in the country, Montgomery County heavily favored Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, receiving 74% of the vote. Additionally, it ranks among the wealthiest counties in the U.S. with a median household income of $129,000, significantly higher than the national average.