Trump Signs Executive Order on Cashless Bail
WASHINGTON – On Monday, President Trump enacted an executive order aimed at urging cities nationwide to discontinue cashless bail for accused criminals. The order also instructs the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., to pursue federal charges against criminal defendants whenever feasible.
This initiative, first highlighted by the Post Office, requires compiling a list of local and state jurisdictions for Attorney General Pam Bondi within 30 days.
The order further mandates Cabinet Secretaries and relevant agencies to identify federal funds—like grants and contracts currently allocated to cashless bail jurisdictions—to ensure alignment with appropriate laws.
D.C. has prohibited cash bail as a release condition since 1992, meaning defendants awaiting trial can only remain free if they’re not considered a public safety risk.
In the Oval Office, Trump remarked, “They thought it was discriminatory to make people pay money. We’re putting an end to that, starting with D.C., which we can federalize.”
New York had also abolished cash bail policies in 2019 for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, allowing judges to take a defendant’s financial situation into account when deciding on bail.
On August 11, Trump urged Congress to tighten cashless bail regulations and impose penalties to prevent criminals from being released without some form of financial responsibility.
Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced plans to support this legislation.
The second order highlights issues in D.C., where law enforcement arrests the same individuals multiple times, often leading to the quick release of dangerous offenders. The document asserts, “Criminals like these will no longer endanger American citizens visiting our nation’s capital.”
In the third order, White House Secretary Will Scharf explained the aim is to place more criminal defendants under federal custody and pursue federal charges whenever possible.
Trump noted that this approach would mean not just avoiding cash bail but also being prosecuted in federal court.
While the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. manages both federal and local offenses, current U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has criticized local strategies that allow offenders under 24 to evade detention.
Trump expressed concern about the conditions of D.C. prisons, referring to them as “scary” and mentioning those who have spent time there. “Do you have rooms?” he asked, highlighting worries about the prison environment.
Furthermore, the order emphasizes the filing of federal charges for D.C. suspects and calls for the D.C. National Guard to establish a special unit devoted to maintaining public safety and order.
