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A sweeping shift in federal justice policy is underway as the DOJ reinstate firing squads approach signals a renewed push to accelerate executions and broaden how capital punishment is carried out in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it is taking steps to speed up federal death penalty cases, including expanding approved methods of execution to include death by firing squad.

Policy Reversal and Expanded Execution Methods

The move marks a clear reversal from policies under Joe Biden, whose administration had rolled back several death penalty measures implemented during the first term of Donald Trump.

In a statement, the Justice Department said it is reinstating the lethal injection protocol used previously while also widening the framework to allow alternative methods, including firing squads.

Officials said the department is also revising internal procedures to move death penalty cases forward more quickly, reducing delays that have historically stretched for years.

States Already Permit Firing Squads

Currently, five states allow execution by firing squad for inmates who have exhausted all appeals.

In March, a man in South Carolina convicted of a double murder became only the fourth person since the 1970s to be executed by that method, underscoring how rarely it has been used in modern times.

Capital punishment cases often involve long legal battles, with appeals and procedural reviews delaying executions for extended periods. In some state systems, inmates may choose their method of execution, though lethal injection remains the most common.

Officials Defend Tougher Approach

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the policy shift, criticizing the previous administration’s handling of capital punishment.

He said earlier leadership failed to fully pursue the death penalty against the most serious offenders, including those convicted of terrorism, child murder, and the killing of law enforcement officers.

Blanche emphasized that under renewed leadership, the department is committed to enforcing existing laws and supporting victims.

Faster Path to Execution

Beyond expanding execution methods, the Justice Department said it aims to streamline how death sentences are pursued and carried out.

The goal is to reduce the time between conviction and execution, addressing what officials see as an overly prolonged process that delays justice.

A Controversial Turn

The DOJ reinstate firing squads policy marks one of the most striking developments in federal criminal justice, reviving a method often associated with earlier eras.

As the changes take effect, the debate over capital punishment is likely to intensify, raising questions about ethics, legality, and the future direction of the nation’s justice system.