Trump Ignores Rule of Law on Death Penalty: Barbara L. McQuade

The death penalty is back in the new Trump administration, and its use will be more aggressive than ever.

Among the flurry of executive orders President Donald Trump issued Monday was one called “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety.” Regardless of your opinion of capital punishment, parts of this order raise concern about this administration’s view of the rule of law.

Former President Joe Biden and his Justice Department issued a moratorium on federal executions shortly after he became president in 2021. Last month, in one of his final acts before leaving office, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 ...