Newsom Makes New Decision On Homeless Encampments
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has announced a brand-new task force aimed at dismantling homeless encampments in California’s largest cities — even as taxpayers question why $24 billion already spent on homelessness has failed to solve the problem.
Newsom’s “SAFE Task Force”
The so-called State Action for Facilitation on Encampments (SAFE) Task Force will begin sweeping homeless camps in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, and Sacramento in the next 30 days.
Newsom claims the effort is about public safety, saying: “No one should live in a dangerous or unsanitary encampment.” The task force will pull together multiple state agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, Health and Human Services, and the Office of Emergency Services.
Billions Spent, Streets Still Unsafe
Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has funneled more than $24 billion of taxpayer money into homeless programs. Yet California continues to see rising crime, tent cities, open drug use, and declining public safety. For many residents, this is proof that big-government solutions have only made the problem worse.
Newsom vs. Trump: Dueling Approaches
Newsom also seized the moment to criticize President Trump, even as Trump’s administration continues clearing out hazardous encampments in Washington, D.C. Unlike California’s approach, Trump’s plan gives the homeless a choice — access to shelter, addiction recovery programs, or mental health care. But for those who refuse help, consequences include fines or possible jail time as part of a tougher nationwide anti-crime initiative.
Newsom mocked the President’s tougher stance, writing on social media: “The President is doing things TO people. California is doing it WITH people.”
A 2028 Campaign Play?
Critics argue this new task force is less about helping Californians and more about positioning Newsom as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. The homeless crisis remains one of the state’s biggest failures under Democrat leadership — and yet Newsom continues to roll out expensive programs with no measurable success.
Bottom Line
Californians are left asking a simple question: If $24 billion hasn’t fixed homelessness, why should anyone believe this new task force will?
