The US Army is gearing up for potential executions under President Donald Trump’s command, as detailed in an internal planning document obtained by ABC News. If enacted, this plan would mark the first time the military has carried out executions of convicted American prisoners in over 50 years. Known as “Operation Resolute Justice,” the strategy directs Army officials to coordinate with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer death row inmates from the US Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the federal execution facility in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Despite a history of non-military federal executions during Trump’s first term, the US military has not executed a service member since 1961. Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith explained that the Army regularly conducts planning exercises for executions in anticipation of potential orders from the White House. These drills have been ongoing for two decades as part of the service’s continuous readiness in the event of presidential approval for a death sentence. However, there has been no directive from the president to date, as reported by the Mirror US.
While military courts can issue death sentences, presidential authorization is essential for any execution to proceed. The White House has not responded to ABC’s request for comments on this matter. Internally, the Army has instructed various divisions to prepare for executions within 150 days of presidential approval of death sentences. The guidance outlines timelines for progress meetings, protocols for carrying out executions if authorized, and procedures for managing public announcements related to executions.
The number of federal executions has nearly doubled since Trump’s return to office. In April, the Department of Justice under Trump instructed federal prisons to expand the range of execution methods to include firing squads, gas asphyxiation, and electrocution. The department asserted in a 48-page memo that this expansion aims to enhance the death penalty, deter heinous crimes, provide justice for victims, and offer closure to the families of victims.
Additionally, the department stated that broadening the methods of capital punishment would ensure the department’s ability to conduct lawful executions even if specific drugs are unavailable. This surge in federal executions contrasts with the moratorium on executions imposed by the Biden administration, along with no federal executions occurring during Barack Obama’s presidency.
