What is a firing squad execution? DOJ expands federal death penalty methods

The Department of Justice announced it is expanding federal execution protocols to include firing squads alongside lethal injection, and seeks to bring back gas asphyxiation and electrocution. It rescinded the federal execution ban imposed during the Biden administration and said it would 'seek, obtain, and implement lawful capital sentences'—'clearing the way for the Department to carry out executions once death-sentenced inmates have exhausted their appeals.' It also stated it had 'authorized seeking death sentences against 44 defendants' and that 'nine of these defendants' death sentences have already been authorized by interim US Attorney General Todd Blanche.

A Gallup poll released in October 2025 shows support for the death penalty for murder convictions has declined from 80% in 1994 to 52% in 2025.

The article notes that last year, 2025, the number of executions in the United States reached its highest point in 16 years.

Shortly after taking office in January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order promising to seek federal death sentences and instructing the attorney general to ensure that states have an adequate supply of lethal injection medicines for executions.

Attorney General Merrick Garland imposed a moratorium on federal executions in 2021 while a review of the Justice Department's policies and procedures was ongoing.