Trump signs order that changes how bail works in the United States

The president Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that ends the cashless bail system in Washington D.C. and threatens to extend the change to other cities and jurisdictions across the country. This measure, which could transform the way courts operate in the United States, marks a new political and social pulse regarding justice and safety on the streets.

According to a report from the White House, the decision aims to reverse what Trump described as a “failed experiment” that has led to the release of violent criminals, including undocumented immigrants, who would have reoffended in serious crimes.

"Cashless bail, we are ending that, but we started in D.C. because we have the right to do so through federalization," said the leader in the Oval Office.

The executive order, reported by NBC News, not only requires that defendants in the capital be placed under federal custody, but it also threatens to withhold federal funds and projects from jurisdictions that maintain this system.

In parallel, Trump signed another decree ordering the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute those who burn the American flag, with penalties of up to one year in prison.

The cashless bail, implemented in cities such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, and in states like New Jersey and Illinois, allows a person accused of a crime to await their trial free without making a monetary payment to the court. Instead, conditions are imposed such as house arrest, electronic monitoring, regular appearances, or travel restrictions.

This system emerged as an alternative to the traditional bail, where the accused must deposit a sum of money to obtain their provisional release. Advocates claim that it prevents low-income individuals from spending months in prison for minor offenses simply because they cannot pay, reduces prison overcrowding, and makes the system fairer.

But critics, including Trump, argue that the measure has facilitated the re-offending of dangerous criminals. In its statement, the White House cited multiple cases of individuals released on non-cash bail who went on to commit violent crimes, including murders and sexual assaults.

Washington D.C., at the heart of political pulse

Washington D.C. has maintained a cashless bail system since 1992. There, judges assess the risk of flight or danger before releasing a defendant. However, Trump's order represents a drastic change, imposing federal custody and conditioning the capital's funds.

The Democratic mayor Muriel Bowser avoided commenting on the decision, while civil organizations warn that the measure could become a blow to the poorest and minorities, who tend to be the most affected by the cash bail system.

The decree joins other recent actions by Trump to federalize control of security in the capital, such as the deployment of armed National Guard troops and the increased presence of federal forces on the streets.

While Trump insists that his order will restore safety, his critics warn that the measure could pave the way for greater inequalities and imprisonment for poverty, a dilemma that once again tests the balance between justice, civil rights, and crime control in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions about Donald Trump's New Executive Order on Cashless Bail