Donald Trump enforces 40-year-old death penalty rule in one state sparking nationwide debate

Donald Trump has introduced the death penalty in Washington DC as part of his crackdown on crime in the US capital - and people are seriously divided.

On Thursday (September 25) the American president, 79, signed a Presidential Memorandum directing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Ferris Pirro, to fully enforce federal capital punishment laws.

In a press release, the Trump administration said this is to 'to deter and punish the most heinous crimes in our Nation’s capital'.

The order 'directs these Federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in all appropriate cases in the District of Columbia where the evidence and applicable facts justify such a sentence'.

It also orders them to 'pursue Federal jurisdiction to the maximum extent practicable for death-penalty-eligible crimes in Washington, DC'.

As he signed the proclamation in front of press in the White House, Trump said: “Capital punishment, capital city."

He added: “We can’t allow that to happen. People come in from Iowa to look at the Lincoln Memorial, and they end up getting killed. Doesn’t happen anymore.

“It’s not going to happen. And if it does happen, it’s the death penalty for the person that did it.”

The death penalty was scrapped in Washington DC back in 1981, when the DC Council voted to abolish it.

Bondi later said: " Not only are we seeking it in Washington, DC, but all over the country - again."

Trump has had his sights set on this for a while, as immediately after his second term began in January, one of his first executive orders was to 'restore' the death penalty.

He wrote: “Capital punishment is an essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit the most heinous crimes and acts of lethal violence against American citizens."

How have people been reacting to Trump's move?

His move has sparked a big divide on social media.

Reacting to the news, one Twitter user penned: "Accountability matters - but calling for executions without due process is a dangerous road. Justice must be fair, not vengeful."

Trump signed the executive order from the Oval Office on Thursday (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

While a second added: "Go do some research on how many people are actually put to death, the exorbitant costs, and the length of the cases; you’ll see this is a waste of time and money."

"Can the death penalty be reinstated by EO? Seems weird?," questioned a third.

While a fourth shocked person wrote: "So is our government now just run by executive order. Does congress have any role anymore?"

And another user warned: "You must be very careful using the death penalty. SO MANY innocents have died because of crooked DA’s and other corrupt officials."

But, as to be expected with such a divisive and controversial subject, others agree with Trump's aim to implement the death penalty throughout the States.

Someone penned: "Eye for an eye. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to watch people kill others and just go to jail to live off taxpayer dollars for the rest of their life, if they even get life in prison nowadays."

While a second added: "This has been needed for years...as the murder rates drop big time the prices of real estate in the area will go up...whats not to like?"

And a third echoed: "Minor note: this has never happened in American history. Do with that what you will. Thank you, Mr. President. It's about time we spend money where we need it."