Supreme Court Allows Cities to Penalize Homeless Amid Trump Crackdown on Drug Use

President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets," aiming to address homelessness by promoting the institutionalization of individuals suffering from substance use disorders and mental health conditions and encouraging stricter enforcement against public drug use, urban camping, loitering, and squatting. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to reverse judicial precedents and consent decrees that limit states' ability to involuntarily commit homeless individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others and prioritizes federal grants for states that comply with these measures. The Trump administration also plans to defund harm reduction programs such as safe consumption sites. Critics, including the National Alliance to End Homelessness, condemn the order as harmful and ineffective, arguing it punishes homeless individuals rather than addressing root causes, undermining proven Housing First approaches that focus on securing stable housing before supportive services. The executive order follows a 2024 Supreme Court decision allowing cities to impose criminal penalties for public camping even when shelter beds are unavailable, further enabling criminalization of homelessness. Trump's initiative is part of a broader effort to restore public order in cities by targeting homelessness, drug addiction, and related public safety concerns.