President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday aimed at ending cashless bail, according to reports. The action would threaten to revoke federal funding for jurisdictions across the country that maintain no-cash-bail policies. Attorney General Pam Bondi is preparing to provide Trump with a list of jurisdictions that could face penalties under the executive action. These may include states such as New York, cities like Washington, DC, and other localities with lenient bail policies.
“Cashless bail policies allow dangerous individuals to immediately return to the streets and further endanger law-abiding, hard-working Americans because they know our laws will not be enforced,” a White House memo accompanying the executive action accessed by NY Post states.
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The memo also highlights that arresting repeat offenders for new crimes after they have been freed without bail is “a waste of public resources and obvious threat to public safety,” citing cases where violent offenders were released only to commit further crimes.
Donald Trump Calls for Tougher Cash Bail Laws
On August 11, Trump called on Congress to tighten laws surrounding cashless bail, emphasizing that criminals should not be released without posting a cash bond before trial.
The executive action also fulfills a campaign promise by the president to “crack down on the left-wing jurisdictions that refuse to prosecute dangerous criminals and set loose violent felons on cashless bail.” This effort was reinforced earlier this month when Trump mobilized the National Guard in Washington, DC, to support local law enforcement in arresting suspects and seizing drugs.
Criticism of Cashless Bail Policies
Recent incidents in New York City have fueled criticism of cashless bail policies. Earlier this month, two convicted killers arrested for dealing drugs in Greenwich Village were released without posting bond.
Last October, a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang was freed without bail after being charged with attempted homicide in New York. He was later arrested in a Miami drug bust but was released again. Additionally, a prolific city pickpocket had accumulated 45 arrests as of January 2024 yet continued to move through the “revolving doors” of justice.
“Every place in the country where you have no-cash bail is a disaster,” Trump told reporters during a press briefing on crime in Washington, DC, earlier this month.
Zero Bail Studies
The White House cited a law enforcement study from Yolo County, California, which found that a “zero bail” policy led to a 163% increase in crime over two years.
In April, Trump’s Department of Justice canceled more than 360 grants worth hundreds of millions of dollars, claiming the funds were serving as a “slush fund” for left-wing causes rather than promoting public safety.
“Under Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, the Department of Justice is committed to ensuring its resources are spent on arresting criminals, getting drugs off the streets, and crucial litigation,” a DOJ spokesman said at the time.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
