Cashless bail – In a sweeping move that signals a sharp pivot in criminal justice policy, President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at ending cashless bail systems across the United States.
Key Provisions of the Orders
The executive actions include:
- Defunding jurisdictions that continue using cashless bail, by directing the Department of Justice to identify and block federal funding to those localities.
- Targeting Washington, D.C. specifically, where Trump has recently assumed federal control of the police force. The orders encourage federal prosecutors to pursue charges and detain suspects under federal jurisdiction, bypassing the city’s bail practices.
Attorney General Bondi’s Role
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been ordered to compile a list of cities and states using cashless bail and to recommend which federal grants can be cut or reallocated. She is also instructed to support efforts to detain suspects pretrial through federal facilities when local systems fail to do so.
Rationale and Political Context
The Trump administration argues that cashless bail has led to rising crime, citing repeat offenders being released without posting bail. Critics of cashless bail say it undermines public safety, while supporters argue it prevents poor defendants from being unfairly detained.
This move comes as part of Trump’s broader “law and order” platform ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
