What Happened: Executive action on Cashless Bail

President Trump​ took executive action Monday threatening to cut federal aid to cities and ​counties that offer cashless bail​ to criminal defendants, a move that could place Democratic jurisdictions throughout the country under further financial strain.

Trump’s first executive order specifically targeted the practice⁣ of cashless bail in the District of Columbia, where the president has sent National Guard troops to patrol the streets. His second action directed the Justice Department ‌to draw up a list ⁤of jurisdictions that have “substantially ⁢eliminated cash bail‌ as a ⁤potential condition for crimes that pose a clear threat ⁤to public safety and order” ⁢- a list that would then be subject to federal funding cuts, the White House ⁣said.

“That was when the big crime in this country started,” Trump‍ said. “That​ was when it happened. Somebody kills somebody, they go and don’t worry about it – no cash, come back in a couple of months, we’ll give ​you a trial. You never ⁤see the person again.”

“They thought it was discriminatory to make people put up money as they just killed three people lying in the street,” he added. “We’re ending it.”

trump does not have the power to‌ unilaterally change D.C. law. But administration officials hope the threat of notable financial pressures⁣ on the city ‌will‌ force local ​lawmakers to change it ⁢themselves.

Impact​ and Affected Jurisdictions

similarly, his⁣ second order could ultimately result in cuts to federal grants and contracts with Los Angeles County, where courts use cash bail only in the most serious criminal cases.

The potential impact extends beyond these two locations. Any jurisdiction that has significantly reduced or eliminated⁢ cash bail for offenses deemed a threat to ⁣public safety could be affected. This includes cities and⁤ counties exploring or implementing bail reform measures aimed ‍at⁣ reducing pre-trial detention for low-income‍ individuals