Some Democrats share Trump's goal of forcing more homeless people into medical care

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PORTLAND, Oregon — On a sunny late-summer afternoon, Logan Whalen stood outside his barbershop in downtown Portland. Two homeless people who were huddled in a doorway nearby were using illegal drugs. He said drug deals sometimes happen openly on his block. "I'm tired of it. It's mostly a nuisance, but it can also get a little bit scary," he said.

Portland is nothing like the "war zone" that President Trump has described in recent speeches while calling for a deployment of National Guard troops in the city. It's a foodie town, with high-end shops, restaurants and boutiques. On this day, the business district was busy with locals and tourists.

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But after years of effort by local officials, on many streets there are still signs of homelessness, often complicated by severe addiction and mental illness. Whalen described one recent encounter where a homeless person blew fentanyl smoke in his face.

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"I'm gay, very much a liberal Democrat, but compassion fatigue is a big thing," he said. "I don't want to walk on the street [to avoid homeless people]. I want to walk on the sidewalk."

Trump's answer to growing frustration, and fear, over America's homelessness crisis includes a plan to expand u