Trump vows death penalty for murders in Washington DC

27 August 2025 , 15:48

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Trump vows death penalty for murders in Washington DC

Donald Trump has announced that he will pursue the death penalty for murders committed in Washington DC.

During a meeting with Cabinet members on Tuesday (26 August), the US president described capital punishment as a "very strong preventive" measure.

"If anybody commits murder in the capital, capital punishment. If someone kills another person in the capital, Washington DC, we’re going to be seeking the death penalty."

Trump did not provide details on how he would implement changes to the system, as the penalty is currently applicable in DC only for federal crimes if a jury agrees.

Earlier this month, Trump ordered the national guard into the city and took control of the "lawless" city’s police force for 30 days, as part of an effort to "rescue our nation’s capital from crime".

Elizabeth Baker