Trump Restores Death Penalty Laws in the District of Columbia

The President emphasizes the enforcement of death penalty laws in the District of Columbia as a means to deter and punish heinous crimes. It highlights the legal framework that supports capital punishment for particularly aggravated offenses, reaffirming its importance to public safety. The President's administration has prioritized federal capital punishment since January 2025, following an emergency declaration regarding crime in the District. The Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for D.C. are directed to seek the death penalty in suitable cases and pursue federal jurisdiction for applicable crimes. Notably, the memorandum does not create enforceable rights against the government.

advtanmoy 30/09/2025 3 minutes read

MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUBJECT:

Enforcing the Death Penalty Laws in the District of Columbia to Deter and Punish the Most Heinous Crimes

SUBJECT: Enforcing the Death Penalty Laws in the

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct:

Section 1. Background. Federal law provides for the death penalty for criminals found guilty of especially aggravated crimes (18 U.S.C. 3591(a)). Capital punishment is an essential part of how our justice system deters and punishes the most reprehensible crimes that often involve grotesque and lethal violence against innocent Americans.

Restoring Federal capital punishment has been a priority for my Administration since its first day under Executive Order 14164 of January 20, 2025 (Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety).

This priority warrants particular emphasis given the public safety threats in our Nation’s capital, as described in Executive Order 14333 of August 11, 2025 (Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia). My Administration has undertaken numerous successful actions to address the emergency declared and to protect public safety, as a result of which crime in the District of Columbia has fallen dramatically in recent weeks. Faithful implementation of the capital punishment laws will be part of this continuing work.

Sec. 2. Enforcing the Law Relating to Capital Punishment. (a) The Attorney General and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia shall fully enforce Federal law with respect to capital punishment in the District of Columbia by seeking the death penalty in all appropriate cases where, following full examination of the evidence and other relevant information, the applicable factors justify a sentence of death.

(b) The Attorney General and the United States Attorney for thDeath Penalty Laws in the District of Columbiae District of Columbia shall, to the maximum degree practicable, pursue Federal jurisdiction with respect to cases involving crimes committed in the District of Columbia for which the death penalty is available under Federal law.

Sec. 3. General Provisions. This memoranDeath Penalty Laws in theDeath Penalty Laws in the District of Columbia District of Columbiadum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Presidential Memoranda
September 25, 2025

Death Penalty Laws in the District of Columbia