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Trump's Plan to Expand Federal Executions
President-elect Trump's plans to expand federal executions spark controversy and concern among opponents, while the Biden administration's approach stands in stark contrast.
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United States
PoliticsJusticeHuman Rights ViolationsUs PoliticsHuman RightsLawDeath Penalty
AcluDeath Penalty Information CenterJustice DepartmentNational Registry Of ExonerationsFederal Capital Habeas Project
Donald TrumpWilliam BarrMerrick GarlandJoe BidenLee Kovarsky
- What is President Biden's approach to the death penalty?
- President Biden has not sought the death penalty in eligible federal cases since taking office, even implementing a moratorium on federal executions and commuting sentences in some cases.
- What is President-elect Trump's stance on federal executions?
- President-elect Trump intends to reinstate and expand federal executions, including for child rapists, migrants who kill US citizens, and those involved in drug and human trafficking.
- How are opponents of the death penalty responding to Trump's plans?
- Opponents, including the ACLU, plan to fight Trump's expansion of the death penalty, citing constitutional concerns and the risk of wrongful convictions, particularly in cases involving child sexual abuse.
- What are the challenges and concerns regarding a potential rapid resumption of executions under Trump?
- While there are legal and logistical hurdles to immediately resuming and expanding federal executions, the potential for rapid action by the next Trump administration is a serious concern for opponents, especially given the current Supreme Court's stance on the death penalty.
- How many federal executions occurred during Trump's first term, and what is significant about that number?
- During his first term, Trump oversaw 13 federal executions, the most by any president since Grover Cleveland; this was despite a pandemic-related pause in state executions.