What's happened
President Trump signed an executive order to end federal funding for cashless bail programs, citing concerns over public safety and community accountability. The move targets jurisdictions like D.C. and New York, where federal grants have supported pretrial release systems that critics say undermine justice and public safety. The order requires states to fund their own bail systems moving forward.
What's behind the headline?
The Biden administration's stance on bail reform has been mixed, with some officials citing data that shows no clear link between bail policies and crime rates. However, President Trump’s executive order signals a shift towards a more conservative approach, emphasizing accountability and community safety. The move to cut federal funding aims to dismantle the large bureaucracies created by cashless bail programs, which critics argue have become tools for social justice activism rather than effective crime prevention. The order also targets jurisdictions like D.C., where cashless policies have been in place since 1992, and New York, which reformed bail laws in 2019. The debate hinges on whether cashless bail truly reduces crime or simply endangers communities by releasing dangerous offenders. Studies from Loyola University and the Brennan Center show mixed or inconclusive impacts of bail reform on crime, but the administration’s stance suggests a belief that traditional bail systems are more effective at ensuring public safety. The move also aligns with broader political narratives emphasizing law and order, especially ahead of upcoming elections. The potential suspension of federal grants could lead to significant reforms at the state and local levels, forcing jurisdictions to reconsider their pretrial policies and possibly revert to more traditional, secured bail systems.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that President Trump’s executive order aims to end federal funding for cashless bail programs, criticizing them as 'a failed social justice experiment' that keeps repeat offenders on the streets and leaves victims behind. The article highlights that federal grants have supported large pretrial bureaucracies, which critics say undermine justice and public safety. AP News notes that the order requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify jurisdictions that have eliminated cash bail and to potentially suspend federal funds to those areas. It emphasizes that the move is part of a broader effort to restore accountability, citing the example of D.C., which banned cash bail in 1992, and New York, which reformed bail laws in 2019. The Independent echoes these points, adding that Illinois became the first state to abolish cash bail in 2023 under the SAFE-T Act, and that studies show mixed results on the impact of bail reform on crime. Both sources highlight that critics warn violent offenders could be released pending trial, but evidence remains inconclusive. The White House and other officials argue that ending federal support for these policies will restore community safety and accountability, with some experts pointing out that data from Loyola University and the Brennan Center shows no significant increase in crime following bail reforms.
How we got here
The move follows years of debate over cashless bail policies, which allow defendants to be released without paying bail, often criticized for enabling repeat offenders and reducing accountability. Illinois became the first state to eliminate cash bail in 2023 under the SAFE-T Act, with other jurisdictions like New Jersey and Washington D.C. nearly ending its use. Critics argue cash bail ensures court appearance and community safety, while proponents claim it penalizes the poor. Federal grants have funded extensive pretrial bureaucracies, which critics say have been hijacked to support policies that keep offenders on the streets, increasing reoffending and victimization.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Pamela Jo Bondi is an American attorney, lobbyist, and politician. A Republican, she served as the 37th Florida Attorney General from 2011 to 2019.