The US Justice Department has outlined steps to bring back death by firing squad as an available execution method for federal crimes.
According to a Department of Justice memo obtained by Fox News, officials plan to “readopt” a lethal injection protocol first used during Trump’s initial term, while also expanding approved methods to include execution by firing squad.
At present, firing squad is authorized at the state level in five places: Idaho, South Carolina, Utah, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. The new move would extend its use to the federal system.
The practice has been drawing renewed attention as more states turn to it. In South Carolina, three people were sentenced to die by firing squad in 2025, marking the first time the method had been authorized there in 15 years.
Idaho has also advanced legislation that would make firing squad the state’s primary execution method.
Debate over capital punishment remains intense nationwide, with opponents questioning whether the death penalty actually deters serious crime and pointing to what they say is limited evidence supporting deterrence claims.
Despite the criticism, the Trump administration continues to argue in favor of executions, describing the death penalty as “critical to deterring the most barbaric crimes”.
A memo from the DoJ obtained by Fox News read: “Today, the Department of Justice acted to restore its solemn duty to 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 added: “Among the actions taken are readopting the lethal injection protocol utilized during the first Trump Administration, expanding the protocol to include additional manners of execution such as the firing squad, and streamlining internal processes to expedite death penalty cases.”
The shift comes after recent cases highlighted the method’s re-emergence. In March 2026, a man in South Carolina became the fourth person since the 1970s to be put to death by gunfire after being convicted of a double murder.
On Friday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the previous administration did not meet what he described as its responsibility to keep the country safe.
He said: “The prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing with victims.”
The announcement also indicated the DoJ intends to “streamline the process for seeking death sentences”.
Officials said that effort would include cutting down the time between sentencing and execution.