Trump DOJ Brings Back Firing Squads, Electrocution and Gassing for Federal Executions

Is this justice for victims or a return to barbaric forms of punishment?
Trump DOJ Brings Back Firing Squads, Electrocution and Gassing for Federal Executions
Above: The Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina. Image credit: Tim Dominick/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

The Spin


Right narrative

The previous administration of Joe Biden failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers and cop killers. Under Trump's leadership, steps are being taken to deter these barbaric crimes. This delivers justice to victims and long-overdue closure to loved ones.

Left narrative

While the government presents the various forms of capital punishment as humane, the reality is that complications often produce intense and barbaric amounts of suffering. The complexity of lethal injection procedures means they are often botched, causing inmates to gasp for air and convulse before taking their final breaths, while firing squad executions have been shown to leave inmates suffering for minutes before dying.


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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 7.4.3

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 7.4.3