President Donald J. Trump has issued a memorandum directing the Attorney General and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to fully enforce federal death penalty laws in Washington, D.C. The directive follows previous executive actions aimed at restoring and emphasizing capital punishment as a tool to deter and punish serious crimes.
According to the memorandum, "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."
The administration has made reinstating federal capital punishment a priority since its first day, referencing Executive Order 14164 from January 20, 2025, which focused on restoring the death penalty and protecting public safety. The President also cited Executive Order 14333 from August 11, 2025, which declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., due to increased threats to public safety.
The memorandum states that recent efforts by the administration have led to a significant decrease in crime rates in Washington, D.C., over recent weeks. It asserts that strict enforcement of capital punishment laws will continue as part of broader measures to address public safety concerns.
In his directive, President Trump ordered: "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."
Additionally, he instructed these officials "to the maximum degree practicable" to pursue federal jurisdiction over cases eligible for capital punishment under federal law.
The memorandum concludes by clarifying that it does not create any new rights or benefits enforceable by law against any government entity or individual.
