Executions Rise Under Trump as States Abolish Death Penalty

Trump's second term sees record executions, despite 11 states ending capital punishment. Explore the trend and key cases.

Editorial Desk

September 30, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — The number of executions in the United States has surged under President Donald Trump, with 47 carried out in 2025 and 28 more in 2026, marking the highest annual total since 2009.

This increase comes amid a wave of states eliminating the death penalty, with 11 having done so over the past two decades. Despite this shift, the practice continues in 27 states, including Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arizona.

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Recent executions include high-profile cases such as Melvin Trotter, Billy Leon Kearse, and Harold Gene Lucas, all executed in Florida. Ker’Sean Ramey was the most recent, while Christa Pike is set to become the first woman executed in Tennessee in 206 years. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has significantly increased federal executions compared to the Biden era, with public support for the death penalty rising to 66% according to recent polls.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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Editorial Desk

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