Trump orders death penalty prosecutions in Washington, DC; directive bypasses city’s ban since 1981
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Sep 26, 2025, 20:31 IST
President Donald Trump has ordered federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in Washington, DC
( Image credit : AP )
President Donald Trump has ordered federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in Washington, D.C., despite the city’s four-decade ban. The directive empowers Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to override local law, raising constitutional questions about federal versus local authority. Supporters argue it will deter violent crime, while critics and civil rights groups say it undermines self-governance and risks disproportionately harming marginalized communities, setting up a looming legal battle.
TLDR
President Donald Trump signed a memo ordering federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in Washington, D.C., despite the city’s ban since 1981. The directive instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to seek capital punishment “to the maximum degree practicable,” effectively bypassing local restrictions. Legal experts say the move could trigger a constitutional clash over federal versus local authority in the nation’s capital. Supporters argue it will deter violent crime, while critics warn it undermines self-governance and may disproportionately harm marginalized communities. Civil rights advocates are preparing to challenge the order, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and political battle.
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a directive instructing federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the nation’s capital, expanding his administration’s push for harsher criminal penalties.
The Memo
In a memo issued from the Oval Office, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro to seek capital punishment “to the maximum degree practicable.” The move gives the Justice Department explicit authority to bypass local restrictions in D.C., where the death penalty has been outlawed since 1981.
Extending Federal Power
The directive marks Trump’s latest effort to exert control over law enforcement in Washington. Because D.C. is not a state, Congress and the federal government retain broad oversight of the city’s laws and courts. Legal experts say Thursday’s memo could ignite a new clash over whether local bans on capital punishment can be overridden by federal prosecutions.
Political Implications
The decision comes as Trump highlights public safety and crime in the capital as part of his reelection campaign messaging. Supporters argue that restoring the death penalty will deter violent crime, while critics warn that it undermines local governance and could disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear how quickly prosecutors will bring capital cases under the new order. Death penalty cases in federal court are rare and typically take years to resolve. Civil rights advocates are expected to challenge the directive, potentially setting up a constitutional test over federal versus local authority in Washington.
FAQ
1. What does Trump’s new directive do?
It orders federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in Washington, D.C., overriding the city’s long-standing ban on capital punishment.
2. Why is this move controversial?
Critics argue it undermines local governance and could disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, while legal experts warn it may trigger constitutional challenges over federal power in D.C.
3. What happens next with prosecutions?
It is unclear how soon federal prosecutors will bring capital cases, as death penalty trials are rare and often take years, but civil rights groups are expected to challenge the directive in court.
President Donald Trump signed a memo ordering federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in Washington, D.C., despite the city’s ban since 1981. The directive instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to seek capital punishment “to the maximum degree practicable,” effectively bypassing local restrictions. Legal experts say the move could trigger a constitutional clash over federal versus local authority in the nation’s capital. Supporters argue it will deter violent crime, while critics warn it undermines self-governance and may disproportionately harm marginalized communities. Civil rights advocates are preparing to challenge the order, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and political battle.
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a directive instructing federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the nation’s capital, expanding his administration’s push for harsher criminal penalties.
The Memo
In a memo issued from the Oval Office, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro to seek capital punishment “to the maximum degree practicable.” The move gives the Justice Department explicit authority to bypass local restrictions in D.C., where the death penalty has been outlawed since 1981.
Extending Federal Power
The directive marks Trump’s latest effort to exert control over law enforcement in Washington. Because D.C. is not a state, Congress and the federal government retain broad oversight of the city’s laws and courts. Legal experts say Thursday’s memo could ignite a new clash over whether local bans on capital punishment can be overridden by federal prosecutions.
Political Implications
The decision comes as Trump highlights public safety and crime in the capital as part of his reelection campaign messaging. Supporters argue that restoring the death penalty will deter violent crime, while critics warn that it undermines local governance and could disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear how quickly prosecutors will bring capital cases under the new order. Death penalty cases in federal court are rare and typically take years to resolve. Civil rights advocates are expected to challenge the directive, potentially setting up a constitutional test over federal versus local authority in Washington.
FAQ
1. What does Trump’s new directive do?
It orders federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in Washington, D.C., overriding the city’s long-standing ban on capital punishment.
2. Why is this move controversial?
Critics argue it undermines local governance and could disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, while legal experts warn it may trigger constitutional challenges over federal power in D.C.
3. What happens next with prosecutions?
It is unclear how soon federal prosecutors will bring capital cases, as death penalty trials are rare and often take years, but civil rights groups are expected to challenge the directive in court.