WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Trump is set to sign an executive order that will eliminate the use of cashless bail in Washington, D.C. Under this policy, a judge could previously release defendants before trial based solely on a risk assessment—without requiring payment.
The executive order will link the continuation of federal funding and project approvals for the district to its compliance, effectively pressuring D.C. officials to reverse the policy. The move reflects the administration’s broader law-and-order approach, spotlighting cashless bail as a central issue in its public safety agenda.
Proponents of D.C.’s bail reform argue that cashless systems promote fairness—especially for low-income individuals who can’t afford bail—while critics warn that it removes incentives for defendants to appear in court and may risk public safety.
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