On August 25, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping executive order targeting cashless bail policies across the United States, sparking nationwide debate about public safety and criminal justice reform.

The move has supporters applauding its focus on public safety while critics warn it undermines important criminal justice reforms. At eBail, we recognize how pivotal these developments are for our industry, our clients, and communities across the country.

What the Executive Order Says

Section 1: Purpose and Policy

President Trump’s order emphasizes that maintaining order and protecting communities requires incarcerating individuals who pose an ongoing risk due to pending charges or past criminal history. The order criticizes city and state policies that release people without requiring bail, arguing this encourages repeat offenses and wastes law enforcement resources.

Key Takeaway: The administration will not support jurisdictions that maintain cashless bail policies. Federal policies and resources will be directed away from cities and states that refuse to impose bail requirements.

Section 2: Consequences for Cashless Bail Jurisdictions

  • The Attorney General has 30 days to submit a list of states and local jurisdictions that have “substantially eliminated” cash bail for serious crimes
  • Federal departments must identify federal funding, grants, or contracts currently going to these jurisdictions
  • These funds could then be suspended or terminated, consistent with law
  • Targeted crimes include violent crimes, sexual or indecent acts, burglary, looting, and vandalism

In effect, this order ties federal financial support directly to local bail policies, putting significant pressure on reform-minded jurisdictions to reconsider their stance.

The Bigger Picture

This executive order is part of a broader “tough-on-crime” agenda from the Trump administration, which has included discussions about federal intervention in cities, heightened penalties for repeat offenders, and restrictions on bail reform policies.

Critics argue that cashless bail reduces jail populations without harming public safety, and that Trump’s order unfairly targets jurisdictions experimenting with alternatives to pretrial detention. Supporters see this as a victory for public safety, law enforcement, and the bail industry.

Impact on eBail and the Bail Industry

For businesses like eBail, this order represents a significant shift with several implications:

  • Potential Market Expansion: By pressuring jurisdictions to abandon cashless bail, the order could increase demand for bail services in areas that had previously eliminated or limited them
  • Compliance Considerations: Jurisdictions may face funding consequences if they continue using cashless bail, which could accelerate legislative or policy changes
  • Public Discourse: The order has reignited the national conversation around justice reform, fairness, and public safety