During a cabinet meeting held at the White House on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump outlined his administration's intention to pursue the death penalty for all murder convictions in Washington, DC.

This decision is part of an ongoing effort by the government to combat rising crime levels in the capital city.

According to Trump, capital punishment serves as a strong deterrent against criminal activities.

Current prosecutorial practices in Washington see most murder cases tried under local law in the DC Superior Court, where the maximum penalty imposed is life imprisonment.

In circumstances where prosecutors deem it appropriate, they may choose to bring murder charges before federal courts.

The eligibility of crimes for capital punishment under federal law will dictate whether the death penalty can be sought.

Notably, the District of Columbia and nearly two dozen states have abolished the death penalty entirely.

Data from the Death Penalty Information Center suggests that there is no substantial evidence supporting the theory that the implementation of the death penalty acts as a deterrent to crime.

In addition to this announcement, earlier this month, Trump ordered the deployment of hundreds of military personnel to Washington as part of a broader crackdown on crime.

Recently, certain units of the US National Guard deployed in Washington began carrying firearms as part of their patrols.

The President is also considering expanding these deployments to other cities with significant Democratic leadership, such as Baltimore, Chicago, and New York.

Trump's proposal has faced criticism from various quarters, including political opponents and civil rights advocates.

Despite these criticisms, the President remains adamant that his actions do not constitute dictatorship, arguing that some citizens prefer a strong leader who can effectively address crime issues, even if it means adopting controversial measures.