The Digest:
The Trump administration has announced the restoration of capital sentences in the United States, allowing the Department of Justice to carry out executions once death-sentenced inmates exhaust their appeals. The DOJ is readopting the lethal injection protocol and expanding it to include firing squads. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the action follows President Trump's directive to pursue death sentences for the most dangerous criminals, including child murderers, terrorists, and cop killers.
Key Points:
- The Biden administration had commuted 37 death-row inmates to life sentences in December 2024.
- The new DOJ has rescinded the Biden-Garland moratorium on federal executions.
- The DOJ plans to prohibit clemency petitions until courts decide on appeals.
- Firing squads will be implemented as an additional execution method.
- The DOJ has approved seeking death sentences for nine defendants, including MS-13 members.
The Trump administration is moving to expedite federal executions after Biden's moratorium.
Sources: Daily Post Nigeria
