D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser holds a press conference at the John A. Wilson Building following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to deploy the National Guard and federalize the Metropolitan Police Department, in Washington, D.C., August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
Federal agents and the National Guard rolled into Washington, D.C. this week and began their operation to occupy the streets, arrest residents, and hassle anyone they view as suspicious. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Mayor Muriel Bowser "left town" for Martha's Vineyard.
Huffington Post Jennifer Bendery cited NBC Washington that Bowser will only be out of the city for a day, but it was on the day that the National Guard begins rounding up the homeless population.
Annemarie Cuccia, editor in chief of Street Sense Media, reported Thursday morning that the city’s Interagency Council on Homelessness sent out a release saying the federal government is expected to begin clearing homeless encampments across the area beginning at 6 p.m.
"This could impact people on federal and local land, and living outside but not in encampments," she wrote on X.
Jesse Rabinowitz, who runs communications for the National Homelessness Law Center, explained that one of the biggest problems in Washington, D.C., is that there aren't shelters where the homeless can go. He said there are approximately 900 people who sleep outside at night, and there are 40 open shelter beds.
"The Mayor has a family commitment and will return to the District tomorrow afternoon," her office said in a statement.
They were asked to confirm she was in Martha's Vineyard, but the office would not say.
When Texas experienced a dangerous winter storm that left much of the state without power, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was criticized for leaving town for Cancún. When massive floods moved through an area, killing many children, Cruz was in Greece with his family. He ultimately came back when he was able. It has been a criticism of the lawmaker he has not been able to live down.