By Trump Signs Executive Order Reinstating Federal Death Penalty
Ghazali Ibrahim
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinstating the federal death penalty for severe crimes, marking a sharp reversal of policies enacted during President Joe Biden’s administration.
The order, titled “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety,” emphasizes a stricter approach to capital punishment and targets those convicted of particularly heinous crimes.
“It is the policy of the United States to ensure that the laws that authorize capital punishment are respected and faithfully implemented,” President Trump stated during the signing, adding that his administration would “counteract the politicians and judges who subvert the law by obstructing and preventing the execution of capital sentences.”
The executive order directs the Attorney General to prioritize the death penalty for all qualifying federal crimes, with specific attention to cases involving the murder of law enforcement officers and capital crimes committed by individuals illegally present in the United States.
The document also showed Trump’s belief in capital punishment as a critical tool for justice. “Capital punishment is an essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit the most heinous crimes,” the order stated.
“Our Founders knew well that only capital punishment can bring justice and restore order in response to such evil.”
The order comes as part of a reversal of Biden-era policies. President Biden had implemented a moratorium on federal executions during his term, citing concerns over wrongful convictions and racial disparities in the justice system.
The Biden administration also commuted the sentences of several federal death row inmates, a move Trump criticized in the executive order.
“On December 23, 2024, President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 most vile and sadistic rapists, child molesters, and murderers on Federal death row,” the order alleged, accusing Biden of undermining the justice system and the victims of violent crimes.
