Why did the US face a surge of executions in 2025?

Introduction

In 2025, the US experienced the largest increase in rates of the death penalty, at 47 executions. It is contended that the largest factor contributing to this sudden increase is the political rekindling of public execution orchestrated by the Trump administration.

Prior to 2025

Before 2025, the use of the death penalty in the USA had declined sharply in the last two decades. In fact, Robert Dunham notes that it has “declined in size every year since 2001” and “the number of people facing execution or possible capital resentencing [has] plung[ed] 43.9% from its peak of 3726” at the end of the year 2000.

In considering the year prior,2024, there were only 25 executions nationwide, conducted in nine states, once again consistent with the decade long downward trend from the peak in 1999 of 98 executions. Even federal activity symbolised this path of decrease as a moratorium was in place under the Biden administration which resulted in 37 commutations of federal death sentences in December 2024. Hence, this sudden surge is an evident anomaly and cause for concern.

Why the sudden rise?

There are many factors that have contributed to this increase in public executions, it can be argued that the most severe factor is the political reinvigoration of it, conducted by Donald Trump’s administration. Notably, on his first day back in office, Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring the death penalty”. This was in reference to the commuting of sentences done by Biden and to address the recent inactivity of death penalty states, as reported by the guardian.

Alongside increasing rates of execution, the administration has previously stated intentions to expand the method of execution with increasingly violent method such as firing squads and hangings being supported. As articulated by Hoag-Fordjour, the US is headings into an “age of spectacle”. By hinting at implementing these such methods, in combination with the steep increase in rates, the death penalty under this administration is in grave danger of remaining an option despite avid abolitionist campaigns.

Another important factor is the fact that the U.S Supreme Court has increasingly refused to intervene in last minute appeals, removing barriers to scheduled executions. As per the scotus blog, “among the 47 people who were executed in 2025, 34 filled emergency stay applications with the Supreme Court” before their execution, in order to continue challenging their conviction. Interestingly, only 6 emergency stay applications acknowledged any disagreement between the justices, and few disclosed written dissent. Hence, it is unlikely that moving forward there would be any substantial changes to this pattern.

The increase in Florida

Possibly the most shocking change emerging from these rates is the fact that Florida recorded a significant, record breaking surge in executions last year. The state conducted 19, which accounted for around 40% of the national total, overtaking Texas.

One of the most prominent factors is once again politically influenced, as under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida dramatically increased the signing of death warrants, averaging two per month as a method of appearing “tough on crime”. Additionally, Florida expanded the scope of the death penalty including laws to allow capital punishment for child rape in defiance of U.S Supreme Court precedent, as well as certain human trafficking offences. These changes align with the broader attitudes of the trump administration.

Is this rise likely to continue to 2026?

In considering the current trends, it is highly likely that execution rates are to remain high or potentially increase. As of march 2026, at least 28 executions have already been scheduled by eight states for the year. With the expansion of eligible crimes, now possibly including sexual offences against children and non-homicide crimes, a wider range of individuals will be targeted, increasing rates further. However, this may not be a nationwide trend, as the current landscape appears geared towards a continued high volume of executions in a select amount of states that are actively expanding, like Florida.

Additionally, some comfort can be taken in the fact that public support for the death penalty is at a 50 year low, and juries are becoming increasingly reluctant to impose new death sentences ,despite federal attitudes towards the death penalty regressing .

Written by Alisha Riaz.