President Donald Trump signed new executive orders Monday aimed at eliminating cashless bail in Washington, D.C., and in other jurisdictions across the nation, marking a sweeping effort to challenge policies long supported by progressive prosecutors. According to NBC News, the White House fact sheets outlined funding penalties and federal enforcement mechanisms to pressure cities that continue implementing the policy.
What Is Cashless Bail?
Cashless bail refers to policies that allow individuals charged with crimes to be released from jail before trial without paying money upfront. Instead, judges assess whether the defendant poses a danger to the public or a flight risk. If so, they may order pretrial detention. Supporters argue the system prevents the poor from being unfairly punished simply because they cannot afford bail.
Critics claim that cashless bail is literally a “Get out of Jail Free’ card.
Critics—including Trump—also argue the practice leads to higher crime rates. “It’s a disaster and caused so many problems we never had before,” Trump said earlier this month. Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for D.C., told Fox & Friends: “Cashless bail is when all of the problems started. They are reoffending and they’re reoffending again.”
