Trump vows to reinstate the federal death penalty if re‑elected
Donald Trump stated that during his second term, he intends to reinstate the death penalty in federal prisons. He made this announcement on the social media platform Truth Social.
"As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters", Trump wrote on Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump's announcement is a response to the actions of outgoing President Joe Biden, who commuted the death sentences of 37 out of 40 inmates in federal prisons.
Support for the death penalty in the US is declining
The number of new death sentences announced in 2024 in the US slightly increased compared to 2023, totaling 26. However, the number of people awaiting execution continues to decline compared to the peak in the year 2000.
Public support for the death penalty in the United States remains at its lowest level in five decades, currently standing at 53 percent. Meanwhile, the latest Gallup polls reveal that over half of young American adults aged 18 to 43 oppose this harshest punishment.
The death penalty has been abolished in 144 countries. However, the number of executions worldwide rose in 2024 for the third consecutive year, mainly due to Iran, where the most executions are carried out.
