News

Attorney General Merrick Garland Temporarily Prohibits Federal Executions Pending Review

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has imposed a moratorium on federal executions due to a Justice Department review of the death penalty

In the statement, Garland said: “The Department of Justice must ensure that everyone in the federal criminal justice system is not only afforded the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States, but is also treated fairly and humanely. That obligation has special force in capital cases.”

Former Attorney General William Barr green-lit the use of capital punishment last year after a 17-year hiatus, resulting in 13 executions during the COVID-19 pandemic, exceeding the number of executions undertaken by any presidential administration since the 1800s.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The Bureau of Prisons used a single-drug protocol for lethal injections under Trump’s administration. Now, Garland has called for Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco to lead a review of “the risk of pain and suffering associated with the use of pentobarbital,” the drug used for executions.

“It is one step in the right direction, but it is not enough,” Ruth Friedman, director of the Federal Capital Habeas Project, said of the moratorium imposed by Garland. “President [Joe] Biden, with the support of the Department of Justice, can and should commute all federal death sentences.”

Biden stated during his campaign that he would support ending the federal death penalty, but he has yet to make good on that promise.

Elizabeth Letsou

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

14 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

14 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

3 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago