President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating the death penalty for anyone convicted of murdering a law enforcement officer, a move he announced during his address to Congress on Tuesday. Trump urged lawmakers to codify the policy into law, framing it as part of his broader initiative to combat violent crime.
"So they can do their jobs without fear of their lives being totally destroyed," Trump said, referencing the dangers officers face in the line of duty. "They don't wanna be killed. We're not going to let them be killed."
Trump's speech included an emotional tribute to the family of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in March 2023. "He was gunned down. I went to his funeral last year. The murderer had 21 prior arrests on different charges. He was a bad one," Trump said, acknowledging Diller's widow, Stephanie, and their 1-year-old son. "Stephanie, we are going to make sure that Ryan knows his dad is a true hero. And we are going to get these criminals off our streets. We need to stop it. It's time now."
The executive order comes amid Trump's push for a broader crime bill that would impose harsher penalties on repeat offenders and provide additional protections for law enforcement officers. The move is in line with his longstanding tough-on-crime stance, which has been a central issue in his political agenda.
While Trump's supporters praise his law-and-order approach, critics have pointed to the contradictions in his rhetoric. One of his first actions upon returning to the White House in January was granting clemency to more than 1,500 individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot, including over 250 people found guilty of assaulting law enforcement officers.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, was among those who interrupted Trump's speech by shouting "January 6th," as the president discussed his crime policy. Several other Democrats joined in the chant, underscoring the political tensions surrounding Trump's law enforcement policies.
Despite the strong push from the administration, similar legislative proposals mandating the death penalty for the murder of police officers have faced challenges in Congress, with previous bills failing to pass into law. However, Trump's renewed focus on the issue signals an effort to make crime a focal point of his presidency and upcoming campaign.
