Trump pushes for end to no-cash bail in US crime crackdown
Trump said Congress should end reforms in Chicago, New York and some other cities that allow some accused criminals to get out of jail ahead of their trial dates without posting a cash bond. 'Every place in the country where you have no-cash bail is a disaster,' Trump said at a White House press conference where he announced that he was putting the U.S. capital's police department under federal control and deploying 800 National Guard troops.
Trump said the Department of Justice would craft legislation to end the practice and called on his fellow Republicans to push the bill through the narrowly divided Senate and House of Representatives.
It was not clear how Trump intended to end no-cash bail policies, which are often determined by state law.
Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, also said Congress should allow more juveniles to be charged as adults. 'I can't arrest them. I can't prosecute them. They go to family court and they get to do yoga, and arts and crafts. Enough. It changes today,' she said.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
State governments have reformed bail systems in recent years by relying on supervised pretrial release rather than the posting of cash bonds, which have been blamed for reinforcing racial and economic disparities and creating a two-tiered system of justice.
Conservatives say that leads to higher crime rates, though a study by the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice at New York University found no evidence of that.
Trump's comments appeared to catch Republicans in Congress off-guard.
House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated Trump's crackdown in Washington in a social media post but did not mention new legislation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune's office was not immediately available for comment.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer pledged to advance legislation to 'protect Americans in their capital city' and hold a hearing with District of Columbia officials in September.
Lawmakers intend to advance a bill that would allow alleged offenders aged 18 and older in Washington to be tried as adults, a Republican committee spokesperson said. The bill would also prevent youth offenders from receiving sentences below the mandatory minimum for a given crime. - Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
Real winners, losers of Trump's tariffs
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has single-handedly pushed countries closer towards a new world order that will be different from the present American and Western-dominated one. As Trump brags to the American public about the latest 'gains' from his transactional foreign policy using tariffs as his bazooka, impacted countries have begun to look closely at the concessions they have been compelled to make. Meanwhile, their media and public are debating whether their country's negotiating team has done well or badly in protecting the national interest. They are also quietly preparing for how they can fight back against this unprecedented threat to the world economy. For now, the latest iteration of Trump's still escalatory unilateral tariffs appears to be hurting long-established US allies, including in Asia, the hardest. Key concessions/exemptions/ special conditions Canada – USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)-compliant goods are exempt. Lumber and dairy face potential tariffs of up to 250%. Transshipment violations risk a 40% penalty plus fines. Previous 25% auto tariffs have been partially suspended. EU – Goods with an existing MFN (most favoured nation) tariff of 15% or higher will face no additional duties. Aerospace exclusions are under negotiation and investment commitments are anticipated. India – No measures announced; no agreement reached. Japan – Committed to purchasing US goods; auto tariffs suspended. Deal framework announced, with details still being finalised. South Korea – Committed to investments in the US. UK – Aerospace products exempted; formal deal signed. Baseline rate applies pending sector-specific agreements. Indonesia – Tariff reduced from the initial 32%; agreement includes undisclosed investment terms. Malaysia – Reduced from initial 24%; deal announced but details incomplete. Philippines – Tariff increased from the initial 17%; agricultural purchases pledged. Deal announced but details remain incomplete. Vietnam – Tariff reduced from the initial 46%; investment commitments made. Formal deal framework established. The biggest loser Based on current information, India stands to be the biggest loser from the new US tariffs as it faces the most severe increase among all countries. A new 25% tariff on Indian goods, on top of an existing 25% duty, brings the total tariff to 50%. This move is a response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil. Analysts have warned that the latest tariff rate could reduce India's outbound shipments to the US by up to 60% and potentially shave off about 1% from its GDP. Canada is also facing a high tariff rate. Products that do not comply with USMCA are subject to a 40% tariff. This is a significant increase and could disrupt supply chains. While it is higher than the rates for the EU, Japan and South Korea, it is lower than the total tariff India is facing. The EU, Japan and South Korea are key US trading partners and geopolitical allies. These three have been hit with a new tariff rate of 15%. While it is a substantial increase over earlier rates, it is still lower compared to Canada and India. All three have secured trade deals that cap tariffs at this rate, marking a significant improvement over the higher rates previously threatened. However, the additional purchase and investment conditions imposed – deemed 'extortions' by some of their political leaders – make these agreements considerably more costly than they initially appear. From a broader geopolitical perspective, the US could end up the biggest loser in what Trump and his Republican team claim is a historic opportunity to reset the global trading and economic system in America's favour. Their claims, made in relation to 'Making America Great Again', include raising new federal revenue to address chronic deficits, pressuring domestic and international businesses to relocate their factories to the US and compelling countries to increase their imports of American goods and services. However, the majority of US economists – mainstream and progressive – disagree with the claim that tariffs are a net benefit to the American economy or consumer. While Trump's administration argues that tariffs protect domestic industries, economic consensus holds that tariffs will ultimately harm the US economy. Economists warn that the costs of tariffs are largely borne by American businesses and consumers through higher prices and reduced purchasing power. Furthermore, they contend that tariffs can lead to slower economic growth, decreased efficiency and innovation by shielding domestic companies from competition, as well as result in job losses in industries that rely on imported goods or are targeted by retaliatory tariffs from other countries. Winner on the geopolitical front Even if successful in the short run on the trade and revenue front, the tariff war has alienated allies and resulted in significant geopolitical losses for the US. Rather than strengthening the US position, these tariffs have strained relationships with Europe and Asia, which have been treated as economic adversaries or, at best, economic pawns. This transactional approach to foreign policy has eroded respect, trust and cooperation, particularly within alliances designed to counter the rise of China, Russia and other BRIC countries, whom Trump identifies as hostile adversaries. By alienating partners such as Canada, the EU, Mexico and countries in the Asia-Pacific region and forcing them to pay exorbitant sums or to seek alternative trade relationships, the US has weakened the very coalitions that are crucial for its prosperity, dominance and strategic interests. Overall, the tariff wars have not only isolated the US economically and geopolitically but have also strengthened China's position as a rival trade and geopolitical leader while eroding American soft power and multilateral credibility.
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
Oil prices steady as market awaits US inventory data and Trump-Putin meeting
SINGAPORE: Oil prices were steady on Wednesday as investors awaited clearer indications of U.S. inventory data, while eyeing an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brent crude futures were flat at $66.12 a barrel at 0330 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipped 6 cents to $63.11. Both contracts settled lower on Tuesday. Trump and Putin are due to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine that has shaken oil markets since February 2022. Oil investors are in a 'wait-and-see mode' ahead of the meeting, said ING commodity strategists. 'The outcome could remove some of the sanction risk hanging over the market,' the ING strategists added. Investors also awaited further cues after an industry report showed U.S. crude stockpiles climbed last week. Crude inventories in the U.S., the world's biggest oil consumer, rose by 1.52 million barrels last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories dropped while distillate inventories gained slightly. Should the U.S. Energy Information Administration data set for release later on Wednesday also show a decline, it could indicate that consumption during the summer driving season has peaked and refiners are easing back their runs. The demand season typically runs from the Memorial Day holiday at the end of May to the Labor Day holiday in early September. Analysts polled by Reuters expect the EIA report to show crude inventories fell by about 300,000 barrels last week. Outlooks issued by OPEC and the EIA on Tuesday pointed to increased production this year which also weighed on prices. But both expect output in the U.S., the world's largest producer, to decline in 2026 while other regions will increase oil and natural gas production. U.S. crude production will hit a record 13.41 million barrels per day in 2025 due to increases in well productivity, though lower oil prices will prompt output to fall in 2026, the EIA forecast in a monthly report. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' monthly report said global oil demand will rise by 1.38 million bpd in 2026, up 100,000 bpd from the previous forecast. Its 2025 projection was left unchanged. The White House on Tuesday tempered the expectations for a quick Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal, which may lead investors to reconsider an end to the war soon and any easing of sanctions on Russian supply, which had been supporting prices. 'Trump downplayed expectations of his meeting with President Putin ... However, expectations of additional sanctions on Russian crude continue to fall,' ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes wrote in a note. - Reuters
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
China and India rebuild ties after Modi's rupture wiith Trump
NEW DELHI: India and China are restoring economic links strained by a deadly 2020 border clash, the latest sign Prime Minister Narendra Modi is drawing closer to BRICS after US President Donald Trump hit the South Asian nation with a 50% tariff. Modi's latest move is to resume direct flights with China as soon as next month, said people familiar with the negotiations who asked for anonymity to discuss private matters. The effort gained momentum in recent weeks, and airlines have been briefed on the proposal, they said. Flights were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, which coincided with a sharp decline in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours after border clashes in the Himalayas killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops. Modi's economic calculus was fundamentally altered this month when Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as a penalty for its purchases of Russian oil. The US president's remarks that India's economy was "dead' and its tariff barriers "obnoxious' further strained relations. The blow from India's largest trading partner hit hard, especially after Modi had lavished praise on Trump and was among the first foreign leaders to visit after his return to the White House. Henry Wang, president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank in Beijing, said relations between India and China are in an "up cycle,' and as leaders of the Global South, "they have to really speak to each other.' "Trump's tariff war on India has made India realise that they have to maintain some kind of strategic autonomy and strategic independence,' he said. China, also a prime target in Trump's trade wars, has also shown signs it's ready for a thaw. This month, it eased curbs on urea shipments to India - the world's largest importer of the fertiliser. Although initial volumes are small, the trade could expand, easing global shortages and prices. China relaxed the ban in June but had maintained restrictions on India until now. The Adani Group is exploring a tieup with Chinese EV giant BYD Co. that would allow billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate to manufacture batteries in India and extend its push into clean energy, according to people familiar with the matter. India recently allowed tourist visas for Chinese nationals after years of curbs, and Modi may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Tianjin starting on Aug 31. China is India's second-largest trade partner after the US, and India needs key inputs from China to develop its manufacturing base. While there may be a thaw, the two Asian powers are not likely to restore full trust overnight. They have seen each other as rivals for years and friction increased a few months ago when China supplied weapons and intelligence to Pakistan in its recent military dispute with India. Part of Trump's recent anger toward New Delhi comes from India denying his claims that his mediation helped defuse tensions with Pakistan. Modi also challenged those assertions directly in a call with Trump in June. India saw a shift in tone from the White House after that, according to the officials in New Delhi. Modi is also strengthening ties with Brazil and Russia, fellow BRICS founding members. In August, he invited President Vladimir Putin to visit India as relations with the US soured. Trump is frustrated with India's continued imports of discounted Russian oil, which help fund the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. Modi has shown no signs of backing down, and his government signed agreements with Moscow this month to deepen economic cooperation. Modi has also talked trade and the imposition of unilateral tariffs against their nations with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolstering commercial ties between Brazil and India was a key topic of Modi's visit to Brasilia in July. During the call in early August, Lula and Modi also agreed to expand India's trade deal with Mercosur, the South American customs union that includes Brazil. The US has long courted India as a counterbalance to China in geopolitics but with Trump's trade wars, Beijing and New Delhi are finding common ground. Xu Feihong, China's ambassador to India, has Modi offered moral support over the tariffs. "Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile,' Xu last week wrote on X over a quote from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi denouncing the use of tariffs "as a weapon to suppress other countries.' - Bloomberg L.P.
