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The statement comes at a time, where Trump, according to himself, has lawyers lawyers looking at ptions on how to take over the U.S. capital.
The statement comes at a time, where Trump, according to himself, has lawyers lawyers looking at ptions on how to take over the U.S. capital.
What is happening?
U.S. President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that his administration will seek the death penalty for any murder committed in Washington, D.C.—despite the city having abolished it over four decades ago.
“If someone kills someone in the capital… we will seek the death penalty,” Trump said during a White House cabinet meeting according to AFP, adding: “It is a strong deterrent. We have no choice.”
Abolished since 1981
Washington, D.C., officially banned the death penalty in 1981, following decades of shifting public opinion and legal reform.
As a federal district—not part of any U.S. state—D.C. operates under a unique legal structure, with Congress retaining oversight power over local laws.
Federal vs. local jurisdiction
While the Trump administration can pursue capital punishment in federally prosecuted crimes, local crimes remain under D.C. jurisdiction.
That means the president would need to push for legal changes in the capital itself—a Democratic stronghold known for opposing the death penalty.
Voters rejected it once before
In 1992, following the high-profile murder of a congressional aide, Congress mandated a referendum on reinstating capital punishment in Washington.
The result was a decisive rejection, with two-thirds of D.C. residents voting against bringing it back.
Trump signs order to expand death penalty use
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has taken broader steps to encourage the death penalty.
He signed an executive order directing federal prosecutors to seek capital punishment more often—especially in what he termed “the most heinous crimes.”
Crime and punishment as a campaign focus
Tuesday’s announcement aligns with Trump’s wider campaign to position himself as a law-and-order leader.
He’s painted D.C. as a city “overrun by violent gangs” and is leveraging this rhetoric to justify tougher measures and federal intervention.
Armed National Guard on city streets
To enforce law and order, Trump has deployed National Guard units in the capital—some of whom are now visibly armed while patrolling public areas.
he move has drawn both support and concern, as residents adjust to the increased military presence.
A new National Guard unit on the horizon
On Monday, Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to create a specialized unit within the National Guard dedicated to public safety in Washington.
This task force would focus solely on maintaining order in the federal district.
Boosting local law enforcement
The president also announced plans to hire additional police officers and federal prosecutors for D.C.
The aim, he said, is to strengthen the local justice system and provide more resources to combat violent crime in the city.
The national landscape on capital punishment
Across the United States, 23 states have abolished the death penalty. Another three—California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—have moratoriums in place.
Meanwhile, Arizona, Ohio, and Tennessee have announced plans to resume executions after previously suspending them.
Dismantling of local governance on the table
While announcing the deployment of the National Guard to DC, Trump revealed that lawyers are reviewing how to overturn the Home Rule Act, which grants local authority to the city’s elected officials.
To fully federalize D.C., Congress would need to pass legislation revoking the act—a major constitutional and political hurdle.
