Trump seeks death penalty for D.C. murders

The Trump administration will seek the death penalty as punishment for homicides in Washington, D.C., President Trump said on Tuesday during the seventh cabinet meeting of the term. The big picture: The president has asserted direct and sweeping control over Washington, D.C., in response to what he called a "crime epidemic." Reality check: Violent crime in D.C. has declined in recent years, counter to Trump's claims.What he's saying: "If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington, D.C., we're going to be seeking the death penalty," Trump said. "And that's a very strong preventative." "I don't know if we're ready for it in this country, but we have no choice," he added. Catch up quick: Trump this month seized control of D.C.'s police force and deployed the National Guard into the city. In December, Trump said his Justice Department would "vigorously pursue the death penalty." He set execution records during his first administration. State of play: Capital punishment remains legal in 27 states, according to Cornell's Legal Information Institute.The federal government and U.S. military also retain the death penalty.Zoom in: Washington, D.C.'s death penalty was nullified by the Supreme Court in 1972 and repealed by the D.C. Council in 1981.D.C. residents voted 2-1 against the death penalty in a 1992 referendum ordered by Congress.Go deeper: Trump's D.C. utopia

Comments

World news

Civil rights group sues to block new Texas congressional map: ‘intentionally harmful and discriminatory’

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Indian PM Modi issues buy India-made call as Trump's 50% tariffs take effect

"Mind-bendingly ridiculous": MAGA rages over Trump's Chinese students announcement

Videos show impact of Trump's crackdown in one Washington DC neighbourhood

Trump's 50% tariff on India kicks in as Modi urges self-reliance

Trump imposes 50% tariff on India as punishment for buying Russian oil

US tariffs on India hit 50% as Trump-Modi ties sour

FirstFT: Trump’s push to fire Cook faces legal hurdles

Trump forces billionaire to fold

EU moves to shield aluminium from Trump tariff blow

Trump administration is investing in US rare earths in a push to break China's grip

FEMA employees forced on leave after issuing open letter critical of Trump administration

Democracy watchdog sues for files on Trump-Epstein relationship

Multiple FEMA staff put on leave after letter criticizing Trump admin

A new strain of Covid is causing a spike in California as officials grapple with Trump’s vaccine policies

Gavin Newsom escalates trolling of Trump with Grok post on dementia

Fed: Will follow any court ruling on Cook's status after Trump's firing

Trump vows retaliation against countries with digital rules targeting US tech

Trump administration pulls another $175m from California’s high-speed rail

Trump’s battle against the Fed heads for courtroom showdown

Donald Trump’s Fed blitz risks raising US borrowing costs

World news

Civil rights group sues to block new Texas congressional map: ‘intentionally harmful and discriminatory’

America’s favorite dog breed is almost definitely not what you’d expect

Businesses bid for slice of Swift-Kelce wedding: ‘Welcome to New York, it’s been waiting for you’

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin’s troops have entered Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv admits

Right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk claims Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce is a sign she’ll become ‘conservative’

FEMA employees forced on leave after issuing open letter critical of Trump administration

Trump administration is investing in US rare earths in a push to break China's grip

China and India May Be Moving Toward a More Coordinated Foreign Policy

Remembering Hurricane Katrina and Its Political Aftermath

Democracy watchdog sues for files on Trump-Epstein relationship

Multiple FEMA staff put on leave after letter criticizing Trump admin

Toronto’s Hoffman blows save in 7-5 loss to Twins

Manitoba PCs holds slim lead over NDP in Spruce Woods byelection

Jays closer Hoffman struggles in loss to Twins

Two University of Georgia frats accused of physical hazing abuse and forcing alcohol on freshmen to start school year

Here’s why more homeowners are delisting their properties rather than lowering their asking price

Largest Home Depot crime ring ever leads to 14 arrests and $3.7 million in seized merchandise

'We want justice': Families prepared for court fight over deadly UK-bound plane crash

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services introduce new wildland sprinkler system

New Alberta school year comes with controversial new gender policies in classrooms

$120K holiday party raises new questions about City of Richmond spending

Stone Age 'Atlantis' found 8,500 years after being lost at sea

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement

'I thought it was the end of my life': Inside Israel's attack on Iran's Evin Prison

Australia police shooting suspect named as manhunt continues

Edmonton city council approves $400M deal to build event park, village at Ice District

A new strain of Covid is causing a spike in California as officials grapple with Trump’s vaccine policies

Parents of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro charged with murder after being accused of faking his disappearance

Cracker Barrel to restore old logo amid right-wing rebrand controversy

Gavin Newsom escalates trolling of Trump with Grok post on dementia

Cracker Barrel returning to "Old Timer" logo after MAGA backlash

Fed: Will follow any court ruling on Cook's status after Trump's firing

Trump seeks death penalty for D.C. murders

Trump vows retaliation against countries with digital rules targeting US tech

Korean Air plans to buy more than 100 Boeing aircraft

Daily life on a remote Amazon island goes on despite diplomatic dispute

What to know about Iran's Revolutionary Guard

UK's hard-right Reform party says it will mass deport migrants if it wins power

Coroner’s inquest into death of Brandon Schafer-Kovacs continues Tuesday with testimonies

New receivers join Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Schoen gets healthy

‘Hurtful’: Dozens to lose jobs after B.C. community group’s recycling contract cut

B.C. groups press federal minister on action against gender-based violence

Canadian crews help in airlift of 2 passengers from cruise ship off Washington coast

Ottawa providing $326M to B.C. for infrastructure

10 best beauty hacks for busy moms (AKA me)

New child and youth justice centre opens in Moose Jaw

Saskatchewan gets boost in immigration nominations

Chef Jose Andres calls Trump ‘confused’ over his ‘flat out lie’ that half of DC restaurants closed because of crime

Las Vegas journalist found inside container died of ‘homicidal violence,’ officials say

Katy Perry testifies that she's seeking 'justice' at trial over $15 million mansion

White House reporter absolutely loses it over news of Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce engagement: ‘Ring is ginormous!’

Whistleblower claims DOGE compromised Social Security data of hundreds of millions of Americans

Pam Bondi trashed for ‘creepy’ way she keeps addressing Donald Trump to his face

Older adults are unprepared for life-threatening extreme heat

Ex-NFL star quarterback Jay Cutler is going to jail after guilty plea to DUI charge

Lime of fire: DC resident on e-scooter faces felony assault charge after spitting on National Guard

‘Horror show’: RFK Jr and Trump fearmonger about autism in marathon cabinet meeting while research is axed behind scenes