Trump reinstates death penalty for murders in Washington, D.C.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an order reinstating the death penalty for those convicted of murder in Washington, D.C., the White House said.

The death penalty had previously been in place in the city but was abolished by the D.C. Council in 1981.

The White House said lenient local policies had fueled rising crime, putting residents, visitors and federal institutions at risk. Washington was among the most dangerous U.S. cities, with a murder rate of 27.3 per 100,000 people in 2024.

Trump cited the capital’s special status and said no murders had been recorded in the past four weeks after National Guard troops were deployed. “Those who kill in Washington will face the death penalty,” he said, adding the order takes immediate effect.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the administration intends to push for expanding the use of capital punishment nationwide.