Hi, Mother Jones readers. I'm Abby Vesoulis, a national politics reporter.
Two days ago, while out reporting in my home city of Washington, DC, I met the kindest 66-year-old man named Larry. I sat down next to him on a downtown park bench, and he told me about how he became homeless in June.
When he lost his beloved wife to kidney disease in 2022, he also lost his will to live. Stuck in a grief stupor, he fell behind in rent and was never quite able to catch up. Now, he posts up on the bench, sleeping upright to avoid attention and trouble.
But even that setup might put him at risk: I recently heard from several local government staff and advocacy organizations that law enforcement will, tonight, conduct citywide raids demanding homeless individuals vacate public land and move to shelter beds. But there is a critical shortage of those beds in DC, as I reported yesterday. Still, those who don’t comply may be taken to jail. And thanks to a 2024 Supreme Court decision, arresting the homeless for sleeping outside is perfectly legal.
It’s unclear whether the federalized local police will coordinate the raids or if the 800 National Guard troops President Donald Trump mobilized this week will be involved. In the meantime, I can’t believe I just had to write that sentence—or any of this—about the city I live in and love.
—Abby Vesoulis
