US President Donald Trump wants the death penalty sought in Washington DC. (File photo) Photo: AFP / Pool / Christopher Furlong
US President Donald Trump said that his administration will seek the death penalty in murder cases in Washington, DC.
"Anybody murders something in the capital, capital punishment. Capital, capital punishment. If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington, DC, we're going to be seeking the death penalty," the president said during a meeting with Cabinet members.
He said it's a "very strong preventative" measure. "I don't know if we're ready for it in this country… we have no choice," Trump said.
He said the measure will be implemented in Washington, DC, while "states are going to have to make their own decision."
It was not immediately clear how Trump's edict would work.
Washington, DC, does not have the death penalty, but the federal government does.
Unlike in other places, prosecutors - even those who handle local murder cases in DC Superior Court - work for the federally appointed US Attorney.
- CNN
