Key Takeaways:
- The number of executions in the US nearly doubled in 2025, with 46 executions carried out so far, compared to 25 in 2024.
- Florida accounted for 40% of the nation’s total executions, with 19 people executed in the state, the highest number in a single year.
- The increase in executions coincides with the second term of President Trump, who is a supporter of the death penalty.
- At least 40 death row prisoners who were executed had vulnerabilities such as brain damage, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities.
- The number of new death sentences dropped to 22 in 2025, continuing a decades-long downward trend.
- Public support for the death penalty remains at a low point, with 52% of Americans in favor of it, according to a Gallup poll.
Introduction to the Death Penalty in the US
The Death Penalty Information Center recently released its year-end report, which showed a complicated picture of the use of capital punishment in the US. While public support for the death penalty remains at a low point, the number of executions has increased significantly. The report found that 46 executions were carried out in 2025, up from 25 in 2024. This increase is largely due to the high number of executions in Florida, which accounted for 40% of the nation’s total.
The Role of Florida in Executions
Florida has been at the center of the increase in executions, with 19 people executed in the state so far in 2025. This is the highest number of executions in a single year in Florida’s history, surpassing the previous record of eight in 2014. The state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has been a strong supporter of the death penalty, stating that it is an appropriate punishment for the worst offenders. DeSantis also believes that the death penalty can be a deterrent to crime, and has said that he owes it to victims’ families to ensure that the death penalty is carried out "smoothly and promptly."
The Use of the Death Penalty Under President Trump
The increase in executions coincides with the second term of President Trump, who is a supporter of the death penalty. Since his return to office, Trump has ordered the resumption of federal executions, which were paused by former President Joe Biden in 2021. The most recent federal executions took place during the last days of Trump’s first term. The president’s support for the death penalty has been a factor in the increase in executions, particularly in states like Florida.
Vulnerabilities of Death Row Prisoners
The report also highlighted the vulnerabilities of death row prisoners who were executed in 2025. At least 40 prisoners had brain damage, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities, which can make them less culpable for their crimes. The Supreme Court has ruled that executing individuals with intellectual disabilities is unconstitutional, but states are still allowed to establish their own procedures for assessing intellectual disability. The report also found that 10 veterans were executed in 2025, the highest number in nearly two decades. Many of these veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues related to their military service.
Trends in Death Sentences and Public Support
Despite the increase in executions, the number of new death sentences has continued to decline. In 2025, 22 people received a new death sentence, down from 139 in 2005. This decline is due in part to the growing reluctance among jurors to impose the death penalty, as well as the high cost and length of death penalty cases. Public support for the death penalty also remains at a low point, with 52% of Americans in favor of it, according to a Gallup poll. This trend suggests that the American public is moving away from the use of the death penalty, despite the increase in executions in 2025.
Conclusion
The Death Penalty Information Center’s report highlights the complexities of the use of capital punishment in the US. While the number of executions has increased, public support for the death penalty remains low, and the number of new death sentences continues to decline. The report also highlights the vulnerabilities of death row prisoners, including those with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. As the debate over the death penalty continues, it is essential to consider the trends and complexities outlined in the report, and to work towards a more just and equitable system of justice.