Trump’s cashless bail order is just the start of justice system overhaul

Cashless bail is a start. But to truly turn the tide on rising crime in America, President Donald Trump will have to focus on the entire criminal justice system, not just pretrial release. Five key stages must be addressed if he wants to Make America Safe Again: police, prosecutors, the judiciary, corrections and parole and probation. 
 
This won’t be an easy task. But if he uses the same approach he’s taking on bail reform — tying compliance to federal funding — he can force change in jurisdictions that refuse to prioritize public safety. If this is done right, these reforms won’t just make headlines; they can make a lasting difference that protects Americans for generations. 
 
On Aug. 25, 2025, Trump signed the executive order, “Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans.” I applaud him for directing the attorney general to identify states and localities that have eliminated cash bail for crimes that clearly threaten public safety. 

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Cashless bail allows defendants to be arrested, appear before a judge and walk free without putting up a dime. There’s no monetary consequence for skipping court. This has fueled a revolving-door justice system in which repeat offenders are back on the streets before the police have even finished their paperwork. Ending this reckless policy is a critical first step — but it’s only the beginning. 

Without well-trained, properly equipped police, arrests don’t stick. Good policing is more than putting handcuffs on a suspect; it’s building a case that can survive in court. As a former prosecutor, I know that meeting the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard is tough enough. But when officers cut corners on evidence collection or fail to secure witnesses, prosecutors are left with cases they can’t win. That means dangerous criminals go free. Training, accountability and resources for police departments are essential if we want convictions, not dismissals. 

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Even with strong police work, justice fails when rogue prosecutors refuse to enforce the law. We’ve seen this in cities like Los Angeles under District Attorney George Gascón, where the priority seemed to be freeing offenders rather than protecting the public. Contrast that with Nathan Hochman, who, upon becoming L.A.’s district attorney in 2024, declared: “District attorneys must have only two things as their North Stars: the facts and the law.” That’s the kind of prosecutorial mentality Americans deserve: prosecutors who put victims and communities first, not their own ideology. 

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Trial judges wield enormous power in determining justice. Yet in many states, appointments and elections have filled benches with judges who care more about politics than public safety. The solution? Mandatory minimums. Legislatures are already realizing that unchecked judicial leniency has swung the pendulum too far. By setting clear sentencing floors for serious crimes, lawmakers can prevent judges from turning criminals loose and ensure real consequences for dangerous behavior. 

Corrections isn’t just about warehousing inmates. It’s about ensuring that prisons, jails and correctional systems don’t become revolving doors. Too often, early-release programs put violent offenders back on the streets long before their time is up. Strong oversight and real consequences inside the corrections system are critical to protecting the public. 

 
Finally, we must fix parole and probation. These agencies are supposed to monitor offenders after release and keep them from re-offending. Instead, lax supervision has become a back door for criminals to commit new crimes while technically still “under state supervision.” If parole officers and probation departments aren’t enforcing the rules, the public pays the price. 
 
Cashless bail reform was an essential first step. But it only addresses what happens before trial. To truly make America Safe Again, President Trump must apply the same no-nonsense strategy, tying funding to results, across the entire justice system: from arrest to trial to sentencing to release. If he does, America won’t just see safer streets tomorrow. We’ll see a safer nation for decades to come.