Chicago Monday, August 25th, 2025
Trump Plans Order to End “Cashless Bail” in D.C., Axios Reports
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump is preparing an executive order that would effectively end the District of Columbia’s controversial cashless bail system if he wins a second term, according to a report from Axios.
The planned order, detailed by sources familiar with the drafting, would leverage federal authority over the nation’s capital to force the D.C. courts to consider a defendant’s “dangerousness” when making bail decisions. This move directly targets the District’s Revised Criminal Code Act, which largely eliminated the use of cash bail for most misdemeanors and low-level felonies.
Proponents argue cashless bail creates a more equitable system, preventing low-income individuals from being jailed simply because they cannot afford bail. However, critics, including Trump, blame the policy for a rise in repeat offenses and violent crime.
The reported plan aligns with Trump’s broader “law and order” campaign theme. It signals an intent to use federal power to override local criminal justice policies he views as soft on crime. The order would not be implemented until and unless Trump is re-elected in November.
