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The order, titled “Ending Vagrancy and Restoring Order,” directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to work with the secretaries of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation. The goal is to prioritize federal grants for states and cities that enforce prohibitions on open drug use, urban camping, loitering, and squatting. Additionally, it requires tracking the location of sex offenders.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a statement to USA TODAY that Trump “is delivering on his commitment to Make America Safe Again and end homelessness across America.” By removing vagrant criminals from streets and redirecting resources toward substance abuse programs, the administration aims to ensure community safety and support those with addiction or mental health issues.
This action follows a recent Supreme Court decision in June 2024 that ruled people without homes can be arrested and fined for sleeping in public spaces. The 6-3 decision upheld a ban in Grant Pass, Oregon, which fines homeless residents starting at $250 for sleeping outdoors and up to jail time for repeat offenses.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), more than 771,800 people lived without housing in the United States as of January 2024, marking a 18.1% increase from the previous year. Many cities have struggled to build more affordable housing, while some communities have pushed for harsher laws banning tents and sleeping in public spaces.
Trump has often expressed his distaste for homeless camps and emphasized removing them from parks and federal land as a priority. The new executive order also ensures that grants intended for substance use disorder prevention and recovery do not fund drug injection sites or illicit drug use. It prohibits convicted sex offenders who receive homeless assistance from being housed with children and supports new programs exclusively housing women and children.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the order titled 'Ending Vagrancy and Restoring Order,' which of the following actions is NOT required by Attorney General Pam Bondi?
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