Trump Orders Return of Death Penalty in Washington, D.C. After Four Decades

According to Rokna, the death penalty has been formally reinstated in the District of Columbia after a four-decade absence, following an order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to the White House, the directive requires federal prosecutors to pursue capital punishment in cases involving what Trump described as “the most heinous and violent crimes” committed in the nation’s capital.

In a statement, the administration said the move reflects the President’s commitment to strengthening law and order, and ensuring that “justice is fully served for victims of the most brutal acts.” The proclamation comes amid growing debate over crime rates in Washington, D.C., which has seen a sharp rise in violent incidents in recent years.

Critics, including human rights groups, have warned that the return of capital punishment in the capital represents a step backward, reviving a practice that had been effectively absent from the city’s judicial system since the early 1980s. Opponents argue that the death penalty is costly, ineffective as a deterrent, and raises serious ethical concerns.

Supporters, however, contend that the President’s decision underscores a firm response to violent crime and reflects the demand of many Americans for harsher penalties against repeat offenders and perpetrators of the most severe crimes.

The reinstatement of the death penalty in Washington, D.C., is expected to trigger significant legal and political debate in the months ahead, as the policy shift directly confronts longstanding opposition to capital punishment in the United States.