Trump Justice Department adds firing squads for federal executions
The Trump Justice Department announced on Friday it is seeking to expand federal execution methods beyond lethal injection to include firing squad, electrocution, and gas. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the prior administration failed to protect Americans by not pursuing the death penalty against terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers. President Donald Trump ended a 17-year pause in federal executions in 2020 during his first term, overseeing 13 lethal injections in his final six months—more than any U.S. leader in 120 years. Before leaving office in January 2025, Democratic President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates.
Key facts
- Trump Justice Department seeks to expand federal execution methods.
- Firing squad, electrocution, and gas added to lethal injection.
- Announcement made on Friday by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- Blanche criticized prior administration for not pursuing death penalty.
- Trump ended 17-year federal execution pause in 2020.
- 13 federal executions by lethal injection occurred in Trump's final six months.
- That number is the most under any U.S. leader in 120 years.
- Biden commuted 37 of 40 federal death sentences before leaving office in January 2025.
Entities
Institutions
- Trump Justice Department
- Department of Justice
Locations
- United States
- Washington State Penitentiary
- Walla Walla
- Washington