In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Online, Former President Donald Trump announced plans to bring back federal executions if he wins the 2024 election.
Trump outlined his intention to end the current moratorium on federal executions on his first day in office. He expressed support for applying capital punishment to serious offenses such as major drug dealing, child rape, and the killing of police officers.
The Trump campaign views crime as a key issue where they can challenge Vice President Kamala Harris's record as a prosecutor in California. Trump's stance on reinstating federal executions is part of his broader tough-on-crime agenda, which he believes will resonate with voters concerned about public safety and law enforcement.
Trump's administration previously restored the use of the federal death penalty in 2019, resulting in 13 federal death row inmates being executed before the Biden administration implemented a halt in July 2021. When asked if ending the moratorium would be a day-one priority, Trump responded affirmatively:
Trump said:
Of course I would. I would have executions on major drug dealers. I would have, perhaps, the raping of a child, the killing of a police officer. I would have executions on the people that violently kill people.
The former president argued that tougher penalties, including capital punishment, are necessary to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. He specifically mentioned targeting drug dealers, who he claims are responsible for hundreds of deaths over their lifetimes.
Trump has been using campaign rallies and speeches to portray himself as the law-and-order candidate while attacking Vice President Harris as soft on crime. He recently called her a police "defunder" and a pro-crime "Marxist prosecutor" during an appearance at a Michigan sheriff's office.
The Harris campaign has dismissed Trump's attacks, countering that crime rates increased during his presidency and accusing him of attempting to defund the police.
They argue that Trump's divisive rhetoric and leadership failures will be rejected by voters in November.
Currently, 27 states have the death penalty on their books, although seven have suspended executions. The use of capital punishment remains a contentious issue in American politics and criminal justice policy.
Trump's call to reinstate federal executions comes as some states are moving in the opposite direction, either abolishing the death penalty or placing moratoriums on its use. Opponents of capital punishment cite concerns about wrongful convictions, racial disparities in its application, and the ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions.
However, supporters argue that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to serious crimes and provides justice for victims and their families. Trump's position aligns with a segment of the electorate that favors a more punitive approach to criminal justice.
Trump's pledge to bring back federal executions represents a stark contrast to the current administration's policies. His focus on crime and punishment is likely to remain a central theme of his campaign strategy as he seeks to differentiate himself from his opponents. The debate over the death penalty and broader criminal justice reform will undoubtedly continue to be a significant issue in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
