Scoop: Trump plans executive order to end "cashless bail" in D.C.

President Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday that aims to eliminate "cashless bail" for arrested suspects in Washington, D.C., Axios has learned. Why it matters: It's the latest step in the Trump-driven federal takeover of the capital city's law enforcement, which has put thousands of federal agents and National Guard troops on the city's streets.Zoom in: Under cashless bail, a suspect doesn't need to pay money to be released from custody before trial.Trump previewed his support for ending cashless bail in D.C. earlier this month. When he announced his decision to federalize the D.C. police force, he called the policy a "disaster."Analysts say such claims aren't supported by crime statistics, which show an exceedingly small percentage of defendants are arrested for violent crimes while awaiting trial.State of play: A White House official said the executive order could threaten to withhold federal funding or government-backed project approvals from the D.C. if it doesn't end its cashless-bail policy. The executive order will ask law enforcement to "work to ensure" that arrestees are taken into federal rather than local custody, the White House aide said. Trump administration officials argue that federal judges are more likely than D.C. judges to detain crime suspects before trial.Under the current arrangement, those detained by federal law enforcement officials in D.C. are in federal custody. Those arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department are in local custody.Zoom out: D.C. largely eliminated cash bail in the 1990s — making it one of the first jurisdictions to do so. Under the city's policy, a judge assesses whether a defendant should be released from prison based on their risk of not showing up for trial.Illinois also has eliminated cash bail. Some other states, including New York, California and New Jersey, have scaled it back.Supporters of cash bail say it financially incentivizes defendants to show up to trial, and that allowing them on the streets poses a threat to residents.Critics of cash bail say it unfairly impacts low-income people who can't afford to post bond. They also point to studies showing little correlation between cashless bail and an uptick in crime.Catch up quick: The issue of cash bail emerged as a flashpoint in the 2024 presidential race, when Trump promised a tough-on-crime approach and vowed to target cashless bail — a practice long loathed by conservatives and embraced by liberals."When I'm re-elected, I will crack down on the left-wing jurisdictions that refuse to prosecute dangerous criminals and set loose violent felons on cashless bail," Trump said. "If you kill somebody, there's no bond. Don't worry about it. Go ahead. Kill somebody else. These people are crazy, I'll tell you," Trump added.Democrat Kamala Harris supported cashless bail. "Vice President Harris believes our criminal justice system should protect and serve all Americans, regardless of their economic status, gender, or race," a Harris spokesperson said at the time.A spokesperson for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment.What's next: Trump wants Congress to ban cashless bail nationwide, and has criticized policies in Chicago and New York. Critics say Congress has no authority to decide how states handle bail, but that lawmakers could tie it to federal funding.

Comments

World news

Artist who fled to the UK after exhibition exposing authoritarian regimes was censored ‘does not feel safe at all’

Independent

Girl, 17, is stabbed to death while calling cops to report being followed on her bike ride home in Holland as cops arrest asylum seeker 'who raped woman days earlier'

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

Moment irate woman screams at fellow holidaymakers in Tenerife after they 'stole' a poolside sunbed she 'reserved with a towel'

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

Russian Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin who launched failed rebellion against Putin knew he was 'doomed' before he was killed in plane crash, his mother reveals

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

Freak maritime 'supercell' storm sparks chaos in Italian tourist hotspot as cars are crushed by falling trees and buildings flooded - with more wild weather to come

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

More than 100 tourists including children fall sick with 'salmonella' with some hospitalised after buffet lunch at four-star Spanish hotel as guests blame pasta dish

about 5 hours ago

Protesters confront federal agents in D.C. after National Guard troops seen armed with guns

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Helicopter tackling forest fire crashes into lake while scooping water

Scoop: Trump seeks "Apple Store-like experience" for government websites

One scoop or two? Bear found eating strawberry ice cream behind counter of Lake Tahoe store

Scoop: White House hands down loyalty ratings for hundreds of companies

As Trump Pushes International Students Away, Asian Schools Scoop Them Up

Scoop: White House suspicious of Lewandowski's "temp" work

Scoop: Schumer courts Peltola for Alaska Senate race

Scoop: Andy Beshear wows Democrats at big donor fundraiser

Scoop: ADL says only 9 states "leading" on fighting antisemitism

Scoop: U.S. brokers meeting between UN and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

Scoop: Trump Cabinet fans across the U.S. to push his megabill

Scoop: Katie Miller leaves Musk full-time, launches podcast

Scoop: Dialog, a secretive forum, plans D.C.-area campus

Scoop: Gaza is fueling a growing push among Democrats for Palestinian statehood

Scoop: House Democrats try to stop a "nasty" internal battle in Texas after redistricting

Scoop: Congress' Democrats threaten investigation if Harvard cuts deal with Trump

Scoop: Top Biden aide was promised $8 million for 2024 win

Scoop: Massie blindsided Mike Johnson on Trump truce

Scoop: Senate Dems launching last-ditch bid to block Trump tariffs

Scoop: Trump envoy Witkoff travels to Israel to discuss Gaza crisis

World news

Artist who fled to the UK after exhibition exposing authoritarian regimes was censored ‘does not feel safe at all’

Democrats ask Trump to resume a major offshore wind project near Rhode Island

Trump insists he is not a dictator - but claims that many people think the US could use one

Maryam Abu Daqqa spent months photographing the war in Gaza. It claimed her life – but her images will endure

Advocates use chalk to color in rainbow crosswalk near Pulse nightclub that was removed on Trump’s order

Firefighter falls 13ft through floor of burning building - but survives with no major injuries

Emmanuel Haro’s father, clad in prison jumpsuit, seen helping police search for baby’s body in California badlands

What to know as Mississippi declares public health emergency over spike in infant deaths

Archbishop who met with Putin admits he made a mistake by not calling for end to Ukraine war

Melania Trump’s very presidential signature on letter to Putin sparks conspiracy theories

Trump mandates flag burners face prosecution in one of the biggest challenge to the First Amendment in decades

Watch last video filmed by Independent Arabia journalist Maryam Abu Daqa before she was killed in Gaza strike

Trying to raise more dough: Krispy Kreme pushing to get into more big-box stores to save struggling franchise

Trump looks to end ‘cashless bail’ in DC as his crime crackdown extends to the court system

‘We are living in fear and anguish every day’: Gazans fear a ‘new Nakba’ as Netanyahu plans occupation

Fox News-favorite Trump rants that ABC and NBC ‘should lose their licenses’ over negative coverage

The five Reform policies which have been tried before – and the ones that failed

The full truth about Epstein could soon emerge – and that’s a problem for Trump

Thousands of retirees get £3k refunds after pension tax errors – how to claim

EV charging in the UK double the cost in Portugal – how prices compare to Europe

India warns Pakistan of flood threat in first known official contact for months

Humanitarian group says Libya's coast guard fired on its vessel in the Mediterranean

What to know about Spain’s ‘Tomatina’ festival, the tomato street fight turning 80

Turkish authorities search for a Russian swimmer who went missing in cross-Bosphorus race

Trump threatens ABC and NBC over "BAD STORIES"

AP freelancer among 4 journalists killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital

World map needs ‘correcting’ to show Africa’s true size, say campaigners

U.S. National Guard troops start carrying weapons in Washington, D.C.

Horny orca is manually 'stimulated' by zookeepers so he won't have sex with mum

Flights grounded at major airport after 'severe medical emergency' on tarmac

Chilling moment doctor realises evil mum had poisoned family with 'delicious' deadly lunch

Norway's leader is the latest to visit Ukraine as Trump weighs peace options

Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrenders to ICE in Baltimore, faces possible deportation to Uganda

As Kilmar Abrego Garcia is detained again by ICE, here’s why his case has become a flashpoint for MAGA

Trump’s controversial homelessness solution? Blue states have done it for years.

You lift bro? How America became a nation of exercise obsessives.

Bad Bunny’s history lesson

He oozes confidence: An audience with Man Utd’s Patrick Dorgu

Israel’s journalist ban has consequences beyond Gaza

UK’s £800m ‘slave labour’ China imports revealed – from bras to lawnmowers

I struggle to talk with my Gen Z staff – I’m only in my late 40s

How IVF genetic test could help women over 35 conceive faster

Norway's leader is the latest to visit Ukraine as Trump weighs peace options

Cambodian lawmakers pass bill to revoke citizenship that critics call repressive

Wall Street welcomes rate cuts but ignores the risks

Motorcyclist dead after crash in northwest Calgary

Top novelty kitchen tools you didn’t know you needed

Best shoe and entryway organization ideas for a clutter-free home

Back-to-school organization for high school, college & beyond

Mum-of-three found 'murdered' with chilling three-word note left next to body

La Gomera tragedy as man and woman killed by car while sitting on bench at winery

Girl, 17, is stabbed to death while calling cops to report being followed on her bike ride home in Holland as cops arrest asylum seeker 'who raped woman days earlier'

Moment irate woman screams at fellow holidaymakers in Tenerife after they 'stole' a poolside sunbed she 'reserved with a towel'

Russian Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin who launched failed rebellion against Putin knew he was 'doomed' before he was killed in plane crash, his mother reveals

Freak maritime 'supercell' storm sparks chaos in Italian tourist hotspot as cars are crushed by falling trees and buildings flooded - with more wild weather to come

More than 100 tourists including children fall sick with 'salmonella' with some hospitalised after buffet lunch at four-star Spanish hotel as guests blame pasta dish

Protesters confront federal agents in D.C. after National Guard troops seen armed with guns