Justice Dept. Expands Death Penalty Options

0:00It's April 25. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. The Justice Department just announced plans to ramp up the death penalty for federal cases, adding firing squad, electrocution, and gas chamber. Options alongside lethal injection. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called off the previous administration for dodging the ultimate punishment on terrorists, child killers, and cop. Murderers This move aims to enforce the law tougher under President Trump. Trump kicked off his first term by ending a 17-year federal execution freeze back in 2020, carrying out 13 lethal injections in. His last six months more than any leader in over a century. Before leaving office in January 2025, President Biden, a death penalty foe, commuted 37 out of 40 federal death row. Sentences That leaves three high-profile cases untouched. Joe Cards are naiv, the Boston Marathon bomber, Robert Bowers, who gunned down 11 at the

1:02tree of. Life synagogue, and Dylan Roof, the white supremacist behind the Charleston church massacre. Victims families and law enforcement have long pushed for these to proceed. Meanwhile, five states allow firing squads, the only South Carolina has used one lately. Nine permit electrocution, last scene in 2020, and two have tried nitrogen gas recently, which UN expert Slam is cruel. Trump vowed on day one of his second term to expand capital punishment for the worst crimes. Federally, it's limited to severe offenses, but 23 states have scrapped the death penalty entirely, with three more on hold. This policy shift signals a big pivot, putting the focus back on swift justice for the most heinous acts.