In his recent policy outline, President-elect Donald Trump has presented a “law-and-order” approach to tackle mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness across the United States.
Trump’s plan proposes aggressive actions, including banning urban camping and arresting violators. His statements reveal a vision that aims to “get the homeless off our streets” by leveraging federal authority to institute changes.
One of the major components of his plan is to reinstitute the use of mental hospitals for individuals he describes as “severely mentally ill and deeply disturbed.” Trump also suggests establishing “tent cities” on large, inexpensive parcels of land.
These sites would employ doctors, psychiatrists, social workers, and drug rehabilitation specialists to provide resources and evaluate the needs of individuals struggling with homelessness and addiction.
However, experts in the field, including Stanford University’s Keith Humphreys, question the viability and effectiveness of these proposals.
Humphreys highlights that the federal government has not traditionally operated mental hospitals—these were largely state institutions before they were defunded and shut down over past decades.
Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling restricts indefinite hospitalization against a person’s will, which could present significant legal challenges.
As for the idea of government-run tent cities, Humphreys warns that concentrated living sites often exacerbate problems, potentially turning these locations into extremely challenging environments for residents.
Moreover, while Trump’s proposals prioritize removing homelessness from urban centers, Humphreys notes that effective long-term solutions may lie in public health strategies rather than law enforcement.
He emphasizes that addressing addiction and mental health issues would require substantial new funding and health-based interventions at the city and state levels.
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Recap
Trump’s proposed approach to mental health, addiction, and homelessness focuses on establishing controlled settings, such as mental hospitals and tent cities.
However, historical evidence suggests that while these approaches may reduce visible homelessness, they may not effectively address the root causes of mental illness and addiction.
Experts emphasize the importance of public health strategies and medical treatment, such as MAT, to help those struggling with these issues.
Next Steps
For those struggling with mental health disorders or addiction, seeking medical care is a critical first step. Programs like those offered at Sunrise Recovery provide a compassionate, science-based path to recovery.
As the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders continues to grow, solutions rooted in comprehensive care, medical support, and community reintegration hold promise for sustainable change.
For a more detailed overview of Trump’s statements and analysis from experts, read the full report by NPR’s Katia Riddle on NPR’s website.
