President Donald Trump has dropped a significant policy move that could reshape how mental health challenges are addressed in America. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump revealed he signed an executive order aimed at bringing back mental institutions and asylums.
He emphasized the need to address street homelessness by providing facilities for those struggling with serious mental health issues. The announcement builds on remarks he made in an August 2025 interview with Daily Caller White House Correspondent Reagan Reese, where he discussed the closure of such facilities in states like New York and California due to high costs.
The issue has sparked intense debate over how society balances compassion with public safety. While some see this as an overdue return to structured care, others question the feasibility and ethics of revisiting past approaches.
Trump tied his policy to personal memories from his childhood in Queens, New York, according to Breitbart. He recalled a place called Creedmoor, where he noticed “bars on the windows” and asked his mother about it. She explained that “people who are very sick are in that building,” a moment that stuck with him.
He noted uncertainty about whether such places still exist, adding that many were shuttered over time. Trump pointed fingers at Democratic leadership in New York for dismantling these institutions, claiming the result is visible in today’s street homelessness.
“The Democrats in New York took them down, and the people live on the streets now,” Trump declared. That blunt assessment cuts to the heart of a policy failure many feel has been ignored for too long. It’s hard to argue when you see the human toll in cities every day.
Trump extended his critique beyond New York, highlighting similar struggles in California and other areas. He argued that the closure of mental health facilities has left vulnerable individuals with nowhere to turn but the streets.
“We’re going to have to bring them back. Hate to build those suckers, but you’ve got to get the people off the streets,” Trump insisted. That’s not just tough talk—it’s a call to prioritize solutions over endless hand-wringing.
His earlier comments from the August 2025 interview shed light on the financial angle. Trump noted that states like New York and California once had numerous facilities but released individuals into society because maintaining them was “massively expensive.”
The history Trump referenced isn’t mere nostalgia—it’s a reminder of a system that, while flawed, offered structure. Many of these institutions were closed decades ago amid concerns over patient rights and budget constraints, but the pendulum may have swung too far.
Now, urban centers grapple with visible crises of mental health and homelessness, often without adequate tools. Trump’s order signals a push to revisit what worked, even if it means confronting uncomfortable realities about cost and care.
Critics of progressive policies might argue this is what happens when ideology trumps practicality. Shutting down facilities without a robust replacement plan has left society scrambling. It’s not about blame—it’s about fixing what’s broken.
Rebuilding a network of mental health facilities won’t be simple or cheap. Trump himself acknowledged the steep financial burden, a hurdle that led to closures in the first place. The question is whether this initiative can avoid past pitfalls.
Public reaction will likely be split. Some will welcome a focus on getting help to those in desperate need, while others may worry about rights and stigmatization. Navigating that divide requires more than an executive order—it demands real dialogue.
Still, Trump’s move forces a conversation too long dodged by polite society. If the goal is truly to get people off the streets and into care, then let’s debate the how, not the why. Ignoring the problem hasn’t worked—maybe it’s time for bold action.
