Trump’s Promise to Expand the Death Penalty: A Shift in U.S. Justice Policy – Gateway Hispanic

The elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, promised that his administration will «strongly» seek the death penalty for those who commit violent crimes, in contrast to the policies implemented by outgoing President Joe Biden.

This statement comes shortly after Biden commuted the death sentences of most federal inmates.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump made it clear that once in office, he would instruct the Department of Justice to “vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.”

Trump added, “We will be a nation of law and order again!”

Donald Trump’s Truth Social Post

During his presidency, Trump resumed federal executions after a 16-year hiatus, overseeing 13 federal executions, many of them in the final months of his term.

Additionally, the elected president has promised to expand the use of the death penalty to include drug-related offenses, noting that drug cartels represent a direct threat to the safety and well-being of citizens.

The Death Penalty Situation in the United States Currently, the death penalty is legal in 27 states.

In some of these states, executions are on hold due to moratoriums imposed by governors or ongoing litigation. However, other states continue to carry out executions actively.

At the federal level, while the death penalty remains legal, Biden implemented a pause in executions, a policy that Trump intends to reverse.

Cases in Which the Death Penalty Is Applied Crimes that can lead to the death penalty vary by jurisdiction but typically include:

First-degree murder; particularly those involving aggravating circumstances such as the murder of minors, law enforcement officers, or during the commission of another serious crime (kidnapping, rape, etc.).
Terrorism: Crimes that result in death and are aimed at threatening national security.
Drug trafficking: In limited cases, drug trafficking can lead to the death penalty, especially if it results in deaths. Espionage and treason:
Crimes that seriously compromise national security.

States with the Highest Application of the Death Penalty Among the states that have applied the death penalty the most in recent decades are:

Texas: Leading the country with the highest number of executions.
Florida and Georgia: Also have notable histories of applying the death penalty.
Oklahoma: With one of the highest per capita execution rates.

Debate and Criticism

Trump’s proposal to expand the death penalty to include drug trafficking crimes has sparked controversy.

Critics argue that this policy could have disproportionate implications and be counterproductive in the fight against drugs.

Additionally, human rights organizations have expressed concerns about fairness in the judicial system and the risk of executing innocent people.

What’s Next for Trump’s U.S.? With Trump’s return to power, the death penalty could once again become a central issue in the U.S. criminal justice agenda. The implementation of these policies will have profound legal and social implications, reigniting a debate that divides public opinion and lawmakers.

About The Author

Maria Herrera Mellado

María Herrera Mellado es una abogada y analista política muy respetada. Licenciada en Derecho en EE.UU. y España, también tiene un doctorado en Ciencias Jurídicas y varios títulos de la Universidad de Granada (España), de la Universidad de Arizona y de la Florida International University. Con amplia experiencia en derecho internacional, asesoría en inversiones, representación en inmigración, y protección de la privacidad y lucha anticorrupción, ha asesorado a organizaciones y políticos europeos, estadounidenses e hispanoamericanos. Ha escrito sobre seguridad nacional e inmigración, protección de datos, derecho constitucional, consumo financiero y derecho bancario en revistas internacionales y coescribió libros publicados en Perú y Colombia. Es reconocida por su servicio comunitario en EE.UU. y es considerada una de las mujeres más influyentes de Florida. Es experta en varios idiomas y participa frecuentemente en debates en canales como Univisión, Fox, France 24, Telemundo y es la Editora Jefe de Gateway Hispanic.

María Herrera Mellado is a highly respected lawyer and political analyst. She holds law degrees from both the United States and Spain, as well as a Ph.D. in Legal Sciences and several diplomas from the University of Granada (Spain), the University of Arizona, and Florida International University. With extensive experience in international law, investment advisory, immigration representation, privacy protection, and anti-corruption efforts, she has advised organizations and politicians across Europe, the United States, and Hispanic America. She has written about national security and immigration, data protection, constitutional law, financial consumer protection, and banking law in international journals and co-authored books published in Peru and Colombia. Recognized for her community service in the United States, she is considered one of the most influential women in Florida. A polyglot, she frequently participates in debates on channels such as Univisión, Fox, France 24, Telemundo, and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Gateway Hispanic.

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