President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order aimed at eliminating cashless bail in Washington, D.C., a policy he blames for fueling the nation’s crime wave.

“One of the Executive Orders has to do with cashless bail. That was when the big crime in this country started,” Trump said during the signing ceremony.

The order seeks to roll back reforms that allowed many suspects to be released without posting bail, a practice critics argue enables repeat offenders to return to the streets quickly. Supporters of cashless bail, however, contend that the system helps reduce inequality by ensuring low-income individuals are not jailed simply because they cannot afford bail.

Trump framed the measure as a key step in restoring law and order, particularly in the nation’s capital, which has faced rising crime rates in recent years.

The Executive Order is expected to spark political and legal debates over bail reform, justice system fairness, and public safety across the country.