Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Federal Death Penalty Policies

The order seeks to resume federal executions, influence state prosecutions, and overturn Supreme Court precedents on capital punishment.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to pursue the death penalty in all eligible federal cases, including murders involving law enforcement and crimes by undocumented individuals.
The order encourages state prosecutors to bring capital charges and explores ways to ensure states have access to lethal injection drugs despite existing supply challenges.
Trump's directive includes evaluating whether the 37 federal death row inmates whose sentences were commuted by President Biden can face new state-level capital charges, though legal experts suggest this may violate constitutional protections against double jeopardy.
The order also calls for reviewing the prison conditions of commuted inmates to align with the severity of their crimes, raising concerns about potential violations of humane treatment standards.
Critics argue the order is largely symbolic and legally questionable, reflecting Trump's broader push to expand the use of capital punishment despite growing bipartisan opposition to the death penalty.