Trump to end cashless bail in D.C. and curb political influence in banking

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign a series of executive orders on Monday, with a primary focus on ending the use of “cashless bail” in Washington, D.C. The measure, reported by Axios and Reuters, aims to replace the existing system that allows individuals to post bail through electronic or alternative means with a more traditional cash-based model [1][2]. The move is part of a broader initiative to centralize law enforcement authority in the federal government and signal a policy shift in pretrial detention and bail practices [2].

Legal experts and civil rights advocates have raised concerns over the potential consequences of the new approach, particularly for low-income individuals who may face increased risks of incarceration due to an inability to pay cash bail [1]. The executive action reflects ongoing debates over criminal justice reform and the balance between public safety and individual rights.

Alongside the bail-related order, Trump has scheduled additional executive actions targeting federal grantmaking procedures and financial regulations. One of these is expected to limit political influence over banking decisions, aiming to prevent federal regulators from pressuring banks to sever ties with businesses based on political disagreements—a practice known as “debanking” [3][4]. These measures underscore the administration’s continued efforts to reduce perceived political bias in financial and regulatory systems.

Earlier in the week, Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, following a recent trade agreement that reduced U.S. import tariffs on South Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent [5]. The meeting is expected to continue discussions on trade and defense cooperation, highlighting the international dimensions of Trump’s executive agenda.

These actions align with a broader pattern of policy initiatives under the Trump administration, including efforts to strengthen border security, reform federal procurement processes, and streamline regulatory oversight [3]. With Congress in recess until September 2nd, the executive orders are expected to move forward without immediate legislative input [5].

While the full text of the orders has not yet been released, the focus on bail reform in D.C. and financial regulation marks a clear signal of Trump’s intent to influence the federal justice and banking systems. The anticipated impact on law enforcement and financial practices is likely to generate continued public and political discourse [1][2].

Sources:

[1] Axios (https://www.axios.com/2025/08/25/trump-executive-order-dc-cashless-bail)

[2] Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-order-end-cashless-bail-dc-axios-reports-2025-08-25/)

[3] Mondaq (https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/healthcare/1669460/president-trump-signs-sweeping-executive-order-asserting-heightened-control-over-federal-grants)

[4] sentinelksmo.org (https://sentinelksmo.org/executive-order-on-debanking/)

[5] Upper Michigan's Source (https://www.uppermichigansource.com/2025/08/24/week-ahead-washington-august-24/)