Trump Promises Death Penalty for Anyone Who Commits Murder in Washington

SadaNews - On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to seek the death penalty for anyone who commits murder in Washington, despite the fact that this penalty has been abolished in the capital since 1981.

The president stated during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, "If anyone kills another person in Washington, D.C., we will seek the death penalty. This is a strong deterrent."

The Trump administration can request this penalty in murder cases handled by federal courts, not local level courts. However, the Republican president, who is known to be a staunch supporter of the death penalty, may seek to amend existing legislation in the capital.

Washington, traditionally considered a stronghold of Democrats, does not belong to any state and has a special status, as Congress has the authority to oversee the city's affairs.

In 1992, following the murder of a congressional aide, Congress mandated a referendum to reinstate the death penalty in Washington, but two-thirds of the capital’s residents rejected it.

Upon his return to the White House in late January, the billionaire Republican signed an executive order calling for the expansion of the death penalty for "the most heinous crimes," directing federal prosecutors to seek this penalty more frequently.

Trump’s remarks on Tuesday are part of his campaign to regain control over law enforcement in Washington, a city he considers "plagued by violent gangs."

In this regard, Trump ordered National Guard troops to be deployed on the streets of the capital.

Trump also asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday to establish a specialized unit within the National Guard "tasked with ensuring order and security in the nation’s capital."

The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 U.S. states, while three other states—California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—have suspended its implementation.