Trump Demands End To Cashless Bail In Republican Crime Bill

President Donald Trump on Friday made clear that one of his top demands for the Republican-led crime package is the elimination of cashless bail — a progressive policy he says has unleashed waves of violence across America’s cities.

“When that came out … originally, when that came out the first time, that’s when you saw the real big crime start to happen. Cashless bail. What a disaster that is,” Trump told The Daily Signal. “You murder somebody, you don’t have to put up bail, and you go out in the street, and you murder somebody else.”

Trump’s comments come as he continues working with congressional Republicans to craft what he has called a “Comprehensive Crime Bill.”

On Truth Social last week, the president said he is collaborating closely with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to deliver sweeping reforms.

“[House] Speaker Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority] Leader John Thune are working with me and other Republicans on a Comprehensive Crime Bill. It’s what our Country needs, and NOW! More to follow,” Trump wrote.

Planning for the legislation has been underway since the summer recess. According to Politico, Justice Department officials have already been consulting with GOP staffers on potential provisions. Trump has repeatedly warned that left-wing “soft on crime” policies have emboldened criminals and endangered law-abiding citizens.

The president also pointed to his bold intervention in the nation’s capital as proof his approach works. Earlier this year, Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department for 30 days, deploying the National Guard and placing the city’s law enforcement directly under his command.

“Washington, D.C., has gone from one of the most dangerous cities in our country to what they call a safe city,” Trump said, noting that for the first time in years he feels comfortable dining out in the District.

“I wouldn’t have done that,” he added. “To be honest, I would’ve had an obligation not to do it before I came into office, or even at the very beginning when things were so corrupt and so dangerous out on the streets.”

Trump blasted then-D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb for suing him over the federal takeover, despite the fact that violent crime plunged during his 30-day order.

“But how about this: We just set a record on low crime in Washington, D.C., and we have a man suing us to let us go back to high crime,” Trump said.

The president’s order is set to expire on September 10, though he suggested he may need more time to cement his reforms. If Congress refuses to extend his control, Trump said he has other tools at his disposal.

He noted he could “always declare a national emergency” if lawmakers fail to act. “Because this was a national emergency,” Trump said.

“But, right now, we have the safest city,” he added. “We have, now, one of the safe cities in the country. We had almost the worst, I mean, a city that was as bad as some of the horror shows that you’ve heard about for years.”