In a bold move to tackle crime in the nation's capital, President Donald Trump issued an executive order mandating his top prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in all appropriate cases within Washington, D.
C.
The directive, signed in the Oval Office, underscores the administration's commitment to enforcing federal law regarding capital punishment in the District of Columbia.
According to Newsmax, the order states, "The Attorney General and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia shall fully enforce Federal law with respect to capital punishment in the District of Columbia by seeking the death penalty in all appropriate cases where, following full examination of the evidence and other relevant information, the applicable factors justify a sentence of death."
The directive also mandates the attorney general and the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia to pursue federal jurisdiction for all cases involving crimes committed in the District of Columbia for which the death penalty is available under federal law.
Trump, known for his straightforward approach, made his stance clear to reporters. "You kill somebody, or if you kill a police officer, a law enforcement officer death penalty," he stated. "It's a very interesting capital punishment, capital city. That's right. It's capital, capital capital. But this is our capital city. We can't allow that to happen."
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested that Trumps order could potentially influence similar actions across the country. "Not only are we seeking it in Washington, D.C., but all over the country again," Bondi said. This comes despite Washington repealing the death penalty in 1981.
In a previous move to curb crime, Trump federalized law enforcement in the District by taking over the Metropolitan Police Department. He stated that D.C. residents "were living in hell" before the emergency order. A White House fact sheet revealed that Washington, D.C., with a homicide rate of 27.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, had been among the nations most dangerous cities.
Following the president's emergency order, which has since expired, Washington experienced a 12-day period without a homicide. Hundreds of National Guard members remain stationed in the capital, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Trump expressed his satisfaction with the improved safety in the capital. "People that work in the White House, every time they see me, young women in particular, [they say] Thank you, sir, and I don't even ask them about what. I know exactly," Trump said. "Now they're living in a beautiful glamorous place called Washington DC with no crime, and that's the way it should be."
The President's firm stance on crime and his commitment to enforcing the law, as demonstrated by his executive order, reflect the conservative values of limited government and individual freedom. By ensuring the safety of the residents of Washington, D.C., Trump has shown his dedication to preserving the rights and freedoms of the individual, a cornerstone of conservative ideology.
His actions serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining law and order in our society, and the role that government can play in ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
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