By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-trump-signs-executive-order-threatening-local-and-state-governments-that-allow-cashless-bail Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump signs executive orders on cashless bail, flag burning Politics Updated on Aug 25, 2025 1:25 PM EDT — Published on Aug 25, 2025 10:58 AM EDT Although the topic for President Donald Trump’s Monday event in the Oval Office was public safety, he started with a broadside against the media. He complained about unfair coverage and said there are “purposely negative stories.” Watch Trump’s remarks in the video player above. He also claimed reporters are happy with his law enforcement crackdown but “most of you won’t say that because you’re radical left.” WATCH: ‘I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator,’ Trump responds to critics Trump said the media has lost its influence because he’s won elections despite negative coverage. “Many of you are corrupt, and there’s nothing we can do about, but we keep winning.” Trump claims his public safety policies are a political winner Despite the backlash to his crackdown in D.C., Trump insisted his approach is popular. He compared it to debates over transgender athletes, another divisive issue he harnessed during last year’s election. “This is another ‘men in women’s sports’ things,” he said. READ MORE: National Guard troops in Washington are now carrying firearms, including handguns and rifles “I think the Democrats better get smart,” Trump said. “Politically, I hope they don’t, but actually, in terms of love for the country, I hope they do, because it would be good to work together.” Trump is vowing to improve Washington’s roads and medians and undertake a larger city beautification plan quickly and at little cost. After saying last week that he’d ask Congress for “about $2 billion” in funding to improve Washington, the president declared, “Congress said they’ll give us whatever money is needed to fix up the capital.” Trump signs executive order requiring new training for National Guard troops A White House aide told Trump the order would require the defense secretary to establish specialized units in the DC National Guard and National Guard units across the country that are trained and equipped to deal with “public order issues.” Some critics of Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops across Washington, D.C., have argued that these troops aren’t trained in policing. READ MORE: Trump expands targets for possible military deployment to more Democratic-led cities The executive order also tasks the U.S. attorney general with reviewing local police orders that are believed to impede law enforcement efforts in the city and take steps to undo them. Trump signs an executive order to ban burning the American flag Trump signed the order that charges the Department of Justice with investigating instances of flag burning. Trump said those who burn the United States flag would be charged with inciting a riot and receive one year in jail with no opportunity for early release. Trump said burning an American flag “incites riots at levels we’ve never seen before.” WATCH LIVE: Trump meets with South Korea’s president as he claims country undergoing ‘revolution’ Trump’s advisers said the executive order “wouldn’t fall afoul of the First Amendment,” which protects the freedom of speech, but did not expand on what that meant. The 1984 Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson ruled flag burning constitutes “symbolic speech” that’s protected by the First Amendment. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
Although the topic for President Donald Trump’s Monday event in the Oval Office was public safety, he started with a broadside against the media. He complained about unfair coverage and said there are “purposely negative stories.” Watch Trump’s remarks in the video player above. He also claimed reporters are happy with his law enforcement crackdown but “most of you won’t say that because you’re radical left.” WATCH: ‘I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator,’ Trump responds to critics Trump said the media has lost its influence because he’s won elections despite negative coverage. “Many of you are corrupt, and there’s nothing we can do about, but we keep winning.” Trump claims his public safety policies are a political winner Despite the backlash to his crackdown in D.C., Trump insisted his approach is popular. He compared it to debates over transgender athletes, another divisive issue he harnessed during last year’s election. “This is another ‘men in women’s sports’ things,” he said. READ MORE: National Guard troops in Washington are now carrying firearms, including handguns and rifles “I think the Democrats better get smart,” Trump said. “Politically, I hope they don’t, but actually, in terms of love for the country, I hope they do, because it would be good to work together.” Trump is vowing to improve Washington’s roads and medians and undertake a larger city beautification plan quickly and at little cost. After saying last week that he’d ask Congress for “about $2 billion” in funding to improve Washington, the president declared, “Congress said they’ll give us whatever money is needed to fix up the capital.” Trump signs executive order requiring new training for National Guard troops A White House aide told Trump the order would require the defense secretary to establish specialized units in the DC National Guard and National Guard units across the country that are trained and equipped to deal with “public order issues.” Some critics of Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops across Washington, D.C., have argued that these troops aren’t trained in policing. READ MORE: Trump expands targets for possible military deployment to more Democratic-led cities The executive order also tasks the U.S. attorney general with reviewing local police orders that are believed to impede law enforcement efforts in the city and take steps to undo them. Trump signs an executive order to ban burning the American flag Trump signed the order that charges the Department of Justice with investigating instances of flag burning. Trump said those who burn the United States flag would be charged with inciting a riot and receive one year in jail with no opportunity for early release. Trump said burning an American flag “incites riots at levels we’ve never seen before.” WATCH LIVE: Trump meets with South Korea’s president as he claims country undergoing ‘revolution’ Trump’s advisers said the executive order “wouldn’t fall afoul of the First Amendment,” which protects the freedom of speech, but did not expand on what that meant. The 1984 Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson ruled flag burning constitutes “symbolic speech” that’s protected by the First Amendment. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now