WASHINGTON, D.C. (LOOTPRESS) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced sweeping actions to reinstate and expand the federal death penalty, following directives issued by Donald Trump.
According to the Department, the changes are aimed at accelerating death penalty cases, expanding execution methods, and resuming federal executions after a pause under the previous administration.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the move restores the department’s responsibility to “seek, obtain, and implement lawful capital sentences” for the most serious crimes.
Among the key actions announced:
- Reinstating the federal execution protocol using pentobarbital, a method used during Trump’s first administration
- Expanding execution options to include methods such as firing squad
- Streamlining internal processes to speed up death penalty cases
- Reviewing the possibility of expanding or relocating federal death row facilities
The Justice Department also released a report defending the use of pentobarbital, stating it complies with constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
The changes mark a sharp reversal from policies under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, whose department imposed a moratorium on federal executions and limited the pursuit of new death penalty cases. Officials under the current administration criticized those actions, arguing they delayed justice and weakened public safety efforts.
Under the new direction, the DOJ has already authorized pursuing the death penalty in dozens of cases, including several involving alleged gang violence and the killing of a federal witness.
Officials say additional policy changes are expected in the coming weeks, including proposals to reduce delays in capital appeals and limit when death row inmates can seek clemency.
The Department says the overall goal is to deter violent crime, deliver justice for victims, and provide closure for families impacted by the most serious offenses.
