If Donald Trump had one promise before taking office for a second term, it was to be ruthlessly efficient in carrying out the pledges that won him the presidency.
Therefore, it is hardly surprising that Trump, who took office on Monday, January 20, just two days ago, has already taken steps to put a number of executive orders into effect.
Earlier this week, the 78-year-old, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, was formally sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. No one can accuse Trump of resting on his laurels, even though there are many things that can be said about his policies and attitude toward… well, pretty much anything.
Numerous executive orders, including one pertaining to the death penalty, have already been signed; these are those that do not need congressional approval.
Federal executions have been suspended since the Biden administration succeeded Trump in 2021. When former President Joe Biden commuted 37 death sentences to life in prison, only three defendants were still on federal death row.
Trump, however, accused his predecessor in a recent executive order of “commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 most vile and sadistic rapists, child molesters, and murderers on Federal death row: remorseless criminals who brutalized young children, strangled and drowned their victims, and hunted strangers for sport.”
“Capital punishment is an essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit the most heinous crimes and acts of lethal violence against American citizens,” according to Trump’s new order.
It’s important to keep in mind that Trump’s administration carried out 13 federal executions during his first term in office (2017–2021), which is more than any other president in modern history.
The executive order issued by Trump
According to Trump’s recent executive order on the death penalty, “Our cities, states, and nation have consistently relied upon the death penalty as the ultimate deterrent and only appropriate punishment for the vilest crimes before, during, and after the founding of the United States.”
“Our Founders were well aware that the only way to address such evil and restore justice is through the death penalty. The death penalty is still widely supported by the public for these and other reasons.
However, judges and politicians who oppose the death penalty have disregarded and weakened our nation’s laws for far too long.
“They choose to enforce their personal beliefs over the law and attempt to thwart the execution of lawfully imposed capital sentences at every opportunity.”
It goes on: “Protecting its citizens from heinous acts is the government’s most solemn duty.
“And attempts to obstruct and dismantle the laws that permit the death penalty for those who perpetrate heinous acts of violence against American citizens will not be tolerated by my Administration.”
The order also directs the Attorney General to “take all necessary and lawful action to ensure that each state that allows the death penalty has a sufficient supply of drugs needed to carry out lethal injection,” according to reports.
A policy that recognizes only “two genders,” a policy to withdraw from the World Health Organization, pardons for many of the participants in the January 2021 Capitol insurrection, a move to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America (although this will not alter its name globally), and a policy designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations are just a few of the executive orders signed by the new president.
Do you believe that Donald Trump will fulfill his pledges? In the comments section, share your hopes for the next administration.
