Trump signs memo ordering enforcement of death penalty in DC

US President Donald Trump on September 25 directed federal prosecutors to aggressively pursue the death penalty in Washington, D.C., citing a “crime emergency” he declared in August.

In a memo addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro, Trump ordered them to enforce capital punishment “to the maximum degree practicable” under federal law, bypassing the District’s 1981 repeal of the death penalty, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

“You kill somebody, or if you kill a police officer, law enforcement officer — death penalty,” Trump said during an Oval Office signing ceremony.

The memo outlines two directives: first, to seek the death penalty in all qualifying federal cases in D.C., and second, to pursue federal jurisdiction for crimes that could carry a capital sentence. This shift would move some cases from local to federal court, a move likely to face legal challenges.

Bondi said the order reflects a broader national policy.

“Yes, sir. Not only are we seeking it in Washington, D.C., but all over the country — again,” she said.

Trump’s announcement follows a February memo from Bondi encouraging Justice Department officials to seek the death penalty in cases involving law enforcement killings, drug trafficking, and firearm-related homicides.

The policy could impact high-profile cases such as that of Elias Rodriguez, accused of killing two Israeli Embassy employees in May. Pirro has indicated the death penalty may be sought in that case.

Critics say the order undermines D.C.'s autonomy.

“D.C.’s democratically elected leaders abolished the death penalty more than 40 years ago, and voters have repeatedly rejected bringing it back,” said Ryan Downer of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. “Trump is using the false pretext of a ‘crime emergency’ to erode D.C.’s self-governance.”

The White House defended the policy, stating: “By enforcing the death penalty law against D.C.’s worst offenders, President Trump underscores his determination to protect our Nation’s capital.”

Trump has called capital punishment an “essential tool” for justice. During a recent cabinet meeting, he reaffirmed his stance: “If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington D.C., we’re going to be seeking the death penalty.”

He added: “Anybody murders something in the capital, capital punishment, capital, capital punishment,” calling it “a very strong preventative” and asserting “we have no choice.”

By Sabina Mammadli