Trump Says He Signed Executive Order to Bring Back Mental Institutions: ‘Got to Get The People Off t

[mystery-ak]

Trump Says He Signed Executive Order to Bring Back Mental Institutions: ‘Got to Get The People Off the Streets’

Elizabeth Weibel 20 Jan 2026

President Donald Trump revealed that he had signed an Executive Order to bring back mental institutions and mental asylums, stressing the importance of getting “people off the streets.”

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump highlighted the accomplishments of his administration.

“I Signed an executive order to bring back mental institutions and insane asylums,” Trump said. “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 went on to say that while growing up in Queens, New York, there was a place called “Creedmoor.”

Trump shared how he had asked his mom why there were “bars on the windows.” He shared that his mom told him, “people that are very sick are in that building.”

“I’ll never forget — I don’t know if it’s still there, because they got rid of most of them,” Trump added. “The Democrats in New York, they took them down, and the people live on the streets now. That’s why you have a lot of the people in California and other places, they live in the streets.”

In an interview with Daily Caller White House Correspondent Reagan Reese in August 2025, Trump was asked if he would “be open to the government reopening insane asylums for people with serious mental illness.”

Trump responded by pointing out “states like New York and California” that had mental institutions ended up releasing people “into society because they couldn’t afford it.”

“They used to have them, and you never saw people like we had, you know, they used to have them,” Trump said. “And what happened is states like New York and California that had them, New York had a lot of them. They released them all into society because they couldn’t afford it. You know, it’s massively expensive. But we had, they were all over New York.”

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/20/trump-says-he-signed-executive-order-to-bring-back-mental-institutions-got-to-get-the-people-off-the-streets/

[Kamaji]

Ok, so more federal government spending?  How will we afford this?

[mountaineer]

This always was a state concern, not federal. 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

“I’ll never forget — I don’t know if it’s still there, because they got rid of most of them,” Trump added. “The Democrats in New York, they took them down, and the people live on the streets now. That’s why you have a lot of the people in California and other places, they live in the streets.”

He's not wrong on this.

[240B]

This is a GOOD idea. I'm not sure he can make this happen.

[mountaineer]

Mental hospitals certainly are needed. There's a mental health crisis in this country. I'm not sure a presidential EO is the answer.

[Kamaji]

He's not wrong on this.

No, he's not.  But does that automatically mean that the federal taxpayer should be on the hook to pay for mental institutions that the states themselves refuse to pay for?

[Smokin Joe]

Ok, so more federal government spending?  How will we afford this?

By not funding quite so many NGOs that spend six-seven figures on staff before they provide a cup of soup.

[Smokin Joe]

This is a GOOD idea. I'm not sure he can make this happen.

Well, you know the crazies are going to fight it.

[Kamaji]

By not funding quite so many NGOs that spend six-seven figures on staff before they provide a cup of soup.

Why is it the federal governments role to fund mental health institutions?

[rustynail]

Netflix will put One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in constant rotation.

[The_Reader_David]

Trump, besides his delusion that he knows everything needed to make policy decisions in every area, also seems to be under the delusion that Executive Orders allow him to rule by decree, irrespective of the Constitution. The Left actually did something right for once, picking "No Kings" as a motto for their anti-Trump protests (though "No King but Jesus" would have been more pleasing, at least to those of us on the Right who are also Christians).

[verga]

Ok, so more federal government spending?  How will we afford this?

Typically these are state or county funded.

[Kamaji]

Typically these are state or county funded.

Based on a federal executive order from the President?  I don't think that's going to happen unless it comes with lots of federal money to spend.

[mountaineer]

Based on a federal executive order from the President?  I don't think that's going to happen unless it comes with lots of federal money to spend.

Which requires Congress, I should think.

[Kamaji]

Which requires Congress, I should think.

I would think so, too, but what do I know.

[Smokin Joe]

Why is it the federal governments role to fund mental health institutions?

Because the states would spend billions on what end up looking like Somali daycares, line their pockets, and the patients would get bupkis.

Blue State officials are likely afraid of being committed...

[Kamaji]

Because the states would spend billions on what end up looking like Somali daycares, line their pockets, and the patients would get bupkis.

Blue State officials are likely afraid of being committed...

That doesn’t answer the question.  What gives the federal government the power to play nursemaid?

So far, all I’m hearing are typical prog answers, to the effect of “the federal government should do whatever I want it to, just because I want it to”.

Amazing how, you scratch most supposed conservatives, and a prog shines through.

[Smokin Joe]

That doesn’t answer the question.  What gives the federal government the power to play nursemaid?

So far, all I’m hearing are typical prog answers, to the effect of “the federal government should do whatever I want it to, just because I want it to”.

Amazing how, you scratch most supposed conservatives, and a prog shines through.

Well, I would start with help for the Veterans out there having trouble. That's Federal. But If you think I'm a prog, you can ESAD.

[Kamaji]

Well, I would start with help for the Veterans out there having trouble. That's Federal. But If you think I'm a prog, you can ESAD.

Vets I have no problem with - that care should be guaranteed as part of their service.  But that’s a straw man argument.  What gives the federal government the power to - as Trump clearly wants to do - ordain by executive order that all mental illness will henceforth be nationalized?

[Smokin Joe]

Vets I have no problem with - that care should be guaranteed as part of their service.  But that’s a straw man argument.  What gives the federal government the power to - as Trump clearly wants to do - ordain by executive order that all mental illness will henceforth be nationalized?

Yeah, who does he think he is, competing with the whole Democrat Party?

[mountaineer]

Just about every leftist who posts wild-eyed rants on TikTok appears to be in need of involuntary commitment. Unfortunately, we just don't have the facilities nor the will for it.

Cynical Publius
@CynicalPublius
I am troubled by the sheer volume of mental illness in America.
We did not used to be this crazy.
Also, Lorazepam Karen here seems unaware of the concept of "ground water."

https://twitter.com/DefiantLs/status/2014108243363066100

[Wingnut]

Are the gonna dam up the rivers? 

[Smokin Joe]

Are the gonna dam up the rivers?

No. As crazy as they act, they will probably run around with their tongues hanging out and try to lap up all the raindrops.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Keeping crazies in insane asylums was the norm and for good reason. I remember hearing a story that happened of a mentally disordered individual who disembowled himself and when police confronted him, he threw his intestines at police. So yeah, some people just need to be protected from themselves.... it's not all just "I hear voices" and they're fine besides that. JFK signed the deinstitutionalization act and things slowly went to shit in urban areas in the US since then.

[verga]

Keeping crazies in insane asylums was the norm and for good reason. I remember hearing a story that happened of a mentally disordered individual who disembowled himself and when police confronted him, he threw his intestines at police. So yeah, some people just need to be protected from themselves.... it's not all just "I hear voices" and they're fine besides that. JFK signed the deinstitutionalization act and things slowly went to shit in urban areas in the US since then.

Vergette works at one of the local State mental hospitals. She comes home with some very interesting stories. Some about the patients and some about the workers

[DefiantMassRINO]

I didn't know the US Constitution gave the Federal Government the power to run Funny Farms.  You'd think that would go to the States via the 10th Amendment.

Is this going to be done under the Interstate Commerce Clause?

Or is this just another empty gesture to distract and redirect from Epstein, FY2026 Budget, Greenland, Iran, ICE mayhem, some sticky inflation, etc.?

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I didn't know the US Constitution gave the Federal Government the power to run Funny Farms.  You'd think that would go to the States via the 10th Amendment.

Is this going to be done under the Interstate Commerce Clause?

Or is this just another empty gesture to distract and redirect from Epstein, FY2026 Budget, Greenland, Iran, ICE mayhem, some sticky inflation, etc.?

Actually look up the history of deinstitutionalization. The federal government had their fingerprints all over it. This goes back to the early 60's.

[DefiantMassRINO]

The 1760's?  The 1860's?  The 1960's?  Oh, yeah, the Great Society.  How did that work out?

Trump can have the Federal Government declare his political enemies as an egg short of a dozen to get them committed to the Trump Org's Sanitariums/Hotels.

De-Institutionalization is different than Re-Institutionalization.  Was (Federal) involved because someone claimed perpetual, involuntary Institutionalization violated their Civil Rights or the US Constitution?

Actually look up the history of deinstitutionalization. The federal government had their fingerprints all over it. This goes back to the early 60's.

[berdie]

In the 80's I worked in downtown Dallas. I have vivid memories of busses pulling up and dumping people on the streets that came from mental institutions. Of course they became the "homeless" in the city. From what I have read, involuntary commitment is very hard to prove. I doubt that many of these people will ever go back to an institution. That horse has left the barn.

[verga]

In the 80's I worked in downtown Dallas. I have vivid memories of busses pulling up and dumping people on the streets that came from mental institutions. Of course they became the "homeless" in the city. From what I have read, involuntary commitment is very hard to prove. I doubt that many of these people will ever go back to an institution. That horse has left the barn.

Actually It is very simple. I have had to do it 2x for a relative. Take them into a physician's office, explain/ describe the behavior and the paper get signed. Some states require 2 witnesses, but if they are acting out in front of the Doctor, only one is required. 30 day commitments are standard, if they refuse treatment, the facility can/will extend it. If you need more details PM me.

[Smokin Joe]

Vergette works at one of the local State mental hospitals. She comes home with some very interesting stories. Some about the patients and some about the workers

I believe. Everyone who ever made an ambulance transport from our Fire/Rescue company up to Ellicott City (MD, State Hospital) had tales to tell when they got back.

Actually, now I wonder how many are just drug addicted/addled and need to 'dry out' (go through detox) and sort themselves out.

[Wingnut]

The world needs more Nurse Ratched's and less bleeding heart libtards.