Trump Administration Expands Federal Execution Methods to Include Firing Squad and Electric Chair

In a significant policy shift, the US Department of Justice announced on Saturday that it has expanded the authorized methods for federal executions. Under the new rules, the federal government can now use firing squads and the electric chair in addition to the traditional lethal injection.

The move aligns with the Trump administration's broader agenda of being 'tough on crime' and revitalizing the use of the death penalty for the most heinous federal offenses. Critics argue that these methods are archaic and violate human rights, but the administration maintains that having alternative methods is necessary, particularly as pharmaceutical companies increasingly refuse to supply drugs for lethal injections. The decision is expected to lead to a series of legal challenges from civil liberties organizations.