US Justice Department expands death penalty, reintroduces firing squad option

The US Department of Justice said on April 24 that it is moving to expand federal execution methods, including the reintroduction of firing squads alongside a renewed use of lethal injection, as part of what it described as efforts to strengthen the federal death penalty system.

According to the department, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has authorised prosecutors to seek death sentences against nine defendants after the Justice Department lifted a Biden-era moratorium on federal executions. Officials said a total of 44 defendants have been approved for potential capital punishment cases, Caliber.Az reports. 

The department stated that the policy shift includes reinstating the lethal injection protocol used during the first Trump administration, expanding execution methods to include alternatives such as firing squads, and streamlining internal procedures to accelerate death penalty cases.

“The prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing with victims.”

The Justice Department said the nine defendants approved for capital charges include alleged members of the MS-13 gang, with two of them described as illegal immigrants accused of murdering a federal witness.

Officials also argued that the changes are intended to strengthen deterrence and provide closure to victims’ families. In its statement, the department said: “These steps are critical to deterring the most barbaric crimes, delivering justice for victims, and providing long-overdue closure to surviving loved ones.”

The policy shift follows the rescinding of the Biden-era moratorium on federal executions. Federal capital punishment had previously been restarted under President Donald Trump’s first term in office, after a pause of nearly two decades.

By Sabina Mammadli