President Donald Trump announced a sweeping cleanup of Washington DC on Friday, stating he refused to let visiting world leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, witness the capital’s tents, graffiti, and potholes. Speaking at the Department of Justice, Trump emphasized his vision for a “crime-free, cleaner, and safer” capital, directing immediate action to remove encampments and restore the city’s image.

“We’re cleaning up this great capital,” Trump declared, praising DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s swift response in dismantling tents near federal buildings, such as opposite the State Department. “When Prime Minister Modi, the President of France, and the UK Prime Minister came to see me, I didn’t want them seeing broken barriers or potholes. We had it looking beautiful.”

The initiative follows a flurry of high-profile visits since Trump’s January inauguration. Modi met Trump at the White House on February 13, joining leaders like Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and the UK’s Keir Starmer in recent weeks. Trump underscored that a pristine capital reflects America’s strength, vowing, “People won’t be mugged, shot, or raped here.”

The cleanup targets visible signs of urban decay that Trump believes tarnish Washington’s global reputation. He promised rapid progress, asserting, “It’s not going to take us too long.” The effort aligns with his broader pledge to enhance safety and aesthetics in the nation’s capital, a priority he’s championed since his second term began.