US to reinstate firing squad in federal executions

TT 

Published 22.38

 

US acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on April 21. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/TT

The US Department of Justice has taken steps to resume, increase and speed up federal executions. Among other things, it wants to allow firing squads.

The department has also tasked the Federal Bureau of Prisons with expanding the execution protocol and reinstating lethal injections of the substance pentobarbital, which were removed during Joe Biden's term due to concerns about unnecessary suffering.

"Under President Trump's leadership, the Department of Justice is once again upholding the law and standing with victims," ​​said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement.

Five states already allow firing squad executions: Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah.