In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at expanding the use of the federal death penalty, which has faced restrictions under the Biden administration. The order mandates the attorney general to take decisive actions, including seeking the death penalty "for all crimes of a severity demanding its use," a directive particularly focused on cases involving the murder of law enforcement officers and capital crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.Source

Trump's order, issued shortly after returning to the White House, emphasizes the need for states to maintain a sufficient supply of lethal injection drugs to facilitate executions, a concern that has grown as pharmaceutical companies have pulled back on providing such substances. The executive action comes after a moratorium on federal executions was imposed under former Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021, following serious criticisms of the methods employed.Source

Under this new directive, the Department of Justice will also be tasked with evaluating whether those whose death sentences were recently commuted under Biden can face state capital charges, tackling fears expressed by legal experts over the constitutional implications of such actions.Source

During his previous term, Trump oversaw a notable increase in federal executions, significantly more than his predecessors, with the administration carrying out 13 executions in quick succession. The recent directive reflects his continued focus on capital punishment as a means to address violent crime, particularly as he often links undocumented immigration with criminal activities.Source

This renewed commitment to capital punishment has sparked alarm among advocacy groups and legal experts who argue that the order may violate established Supreme Court precedents. Abundant criticism arose regarding Trump’s rhetoric and intent, describing some elements of the order as vengeful and politically motivated, particularly in light of Biden’s decisions to reduce the use of capital punishment during his tenure.Source

Many experts are uncertain about the feasibility of Trump's plans, particularly given the constitutional challenges that may arise as well as practical limitations surrounding lethal injection drugs. The landscape for capital punishment is also undergoing scrutiny with growing bipartisan opposition across the nation, complicated further by the moral and ethical implications tied to the death penalty itself.Source

As Trump positions himself to resume federal executions, the broader implications for the U.S. criminal justice system remain to be seen, alongside the reaction from state governments that wield significant power over capital punishment practices.Source