WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Justice announced Friday it will reinstate federal execution protocols, including lethal injection using pentobarbital and the authorization of firing squads, marking a significant shift in capital punishment policy.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche outlined the changes in a 52-page plan aimed at accelerating federal death penalty cases. The policy reverses a 2021 moratorium enacted under the previous administration, which had halted executions pending further review.
Officials said the Justice Department is currently pursuing death sentences for 44 defendants, including individuals linked to violent criminal organizations such as MS-13. Blanche argued that prior restrictions were based on flawed analysis and delayed justice for victims.
The updated policy is expected to shorten the time between sentencing and execution by limiting clemency petitions and streamlining procedures. However, legal experts anticipate immediate court challenges, particularly over the constitutionality of execution methods like firing squads.
Firing squads are currently authorized in five states and were recently used in South Carolina. Public opinion on capital punishment remains divided, with a 2025 Gallup poll showing 52% of Americans support the death penalty.
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