Story perspectives

US Adds Firing Squad, Electrocution, Nitrogen to Executions

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States announced on April 24, 2026 that firing squads, electrocution and nitrogen-gas will be added to execution methods.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the shift addresses lethal-injection drug shortages, fulfills President Donald Trump’s capital-punishment promise, and authorizes death-sentence requests against nine inmates.
President Joe Biden has commuted 37 federal death-row sentences, leaving only Tsarnaev, Roof and Bowers, who have no execution dates and face further legal challenges.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court revived the death penalty in 1976 with Gregg v. Georgia, executions rose to a peak of 98 in 1999 before falling sharply. A 2024 Biden commutation of 37 federal death sentences coincides with a 2025 surge to 47 executions, prompting states to add firing squads, electrocution and nitrogen as backup methods.

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Story summary

The United States announced on April 24, 2026 that firing squads, electrocution and nitrogen-gas will be added to execution methods.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the shift addresses lethal-injection drug shortages, fulfills President Donald Trump’s capital-punishment promise, and authorizes death-sentence requests against nine inmates.
President Joe Biden has commuted 37 federal death-row sentences, leaving only Tsarnaev, Roof and Bowers, who have no execution dates and face further legal challenges.

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