Executions in Florida have surged significantly following Donald Trump's resurgence in political power in the United States
In the United States, there has been a significant increase in the use of the death penalty in 2025. As of late July, 50 execution dates have been scheduled across 13 states, with 26 executions already carried out, suggesting a relatively active application of capital punishment compared to preceding years [1].
Lethal injection remains the predominant method of execution in most U.S. states. However, there has been a diversification in methods, with new combinations of drugs, asphyxiation by nitrogen inhalation, and the return of the firing squad being employed [1]. The specific methods used in each execution in 2025 are not readily available, but historically, other methods such as the electric chair, firing squad, or gas chamber are much less commonly used.
The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, has rejected most stays that block executions at the last minute. Notably, outgoing President Joe Biden commuted 93% of federal death sentences, but the trend of increased executions has continued since January, despite his actions [1].
In a notable development, a condemned inmate was executed by firing squad, a first since 2010. Additionally, one condemned, executed last month in Mississippi, had been on death row for nearly 50 years [1].
Three other states - California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania - observe a moratorium. However, the death penalty has not been explicitly stated as being abolished in any additional states [1].
Interestingly, Donald Trump signed a presidential decree encouraging prosecutors to seek the death penalty more frequently and aiming to ensure states have enough products for lethal injections [1]. The number of executions in the United States has sharply increased after several years of decline, with one person being executed every eight days on average [1].
[1] Data sourced from various news outlets and government reports.
The French government, observing the escalating trend of executions in the United States, has expressed concern over the increased use of capital punishment in U.S. politics, raising questions about the country's policy-and-legislation regarding crime-and-justice. In contrast, general-news sources report that a new presidential decree by Donald Trump aims to promote the death penalty in American law enforcement, potentially influencing the global perspective on criminal justice.
