Trump Signals Openness To Bringing Back Insane Asylums

President Donald Trump said hasn’t ruled out reopening mental institutions for individuals with severe mental illness, arguing society “can’t have these people walking around,” during a recent interview addressing his administration’s efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C.

In a Friday Oval Office interview with the Daily Caller’s Reagan Reese, Trump was asked directly whether he would support the government bringing back psychiatric institutions — otherwise known as insane asylums — for individuals dealing with serious mental health conditions.

“Yeah I would,” Trump responded, before elaborating on what he described as the past failures of states like New York and California to manage the mentally ill population.

“They used to have them,” Trump said. “And what happened is states like New York and California that had them… they released them all into society because they couldn’t afford it.”

Trump cited historic mental health facilities like Creedmoor and Bellevue in New York, saying they were shut down by past governors, and that the resulting release of mentally ill individuals into the public has contributed to current social and criminal challenges.

“It’s massively expensive,” Trump admitted, but added, “You can’t have these people walking around.”

Crime Crackdown in DC: Trump Declares Victory

The interview also covered the Trump administration’s federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deployment of National Guard troops in the nation’s capital — a decision that has dramatically reversed the city’s long-standing crime trends.

“We’re a crime-free zone now,” Trump said. “People are walking to restaurants. They’re free. It’s almost like we just freed the whole Washington, D.C.”

Trump said he was surprised by how quickly the turnaround occurred following the federal intervention.

“I mean, I knew we were going to do it, but it went faster than I thought,” he continued. “In two weeks, it’s going to be even better. People are going to restaurants that haven’t gone out in four years.”

He cited an 87% drop in carjackings, and was backed — at least in part — by Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who credited the surge in federal law enforcement for driving down violent crime.

Mayor Bowser: “The Surge Has Been Important to Us”

Speaking at a press conference last week, Mayor Bowser acknowledged the impact of the federal crime crackdown and praised coordination with Trump’s administration.

“We greatly appreciate the surge of officers that enhanced what MPD has been able to do in this city,” Bowser said.

She noted reductions not only in carjackings, but also in gun violence, homicides, and robberies.

“We know that when carjackings go down, when use of guns goes down, when homicide or robbery go down, neighborhoods feel safer and are safer,” she said, crediting ongoing collaboration with Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Mental Health Policy Back in Spotlight

Trump’s remarks about reopening mental institutions come amid a renewed national debate over how best to handle untreated severe mental illness — particularly as it intersects with homelessness and violent crime in major cities.

Some argue that the closure of psychiatric hospitals in the latter half of the 20th century, combined with underfunded community care, left a dangerous void. Critics, however, insist that reopening institutions raises serious ethical and “civil rights” concerns.

With crime and urban disorder dominating headlines, the issue may become a key pillar of Trump’s 2026 agenda.

READ NEXT: White House Announces Ultimatum For DC Homeless