Trump: "We Will Seek the Death Penalty for Murder in Washington"

Remarks Made at Cabinet Meeting

On August 26 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump stated, "If anyone commits murder in the capital, Washington, D.C., we will seek the death penalty."

UPI Yonhap News

President Trump made these remarks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, saying, "If you commit murder in the capital, you get capital punishment."

He went on to emphasize, "This is a very powerful deterrent, and everyone who hears this agrees."

President Trump added, "I don't know if this country is ready. But we have it (the death penalty). There is no choice," and continued, "The states will have to make their own decisions."

These comments from President Trump came as he addressed the recent surge in crime rates in Washington, D.C., and pushed for crime eradication and urban cleanup efforts. Washington, D.C. has not carried out an execution since 1957 and officially abolished the death penalty through Congress in 1981.

Previously, President Trump placed the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and even deployed the National Guard to restore public safety and law and order.