US executions rose in 2025 to their highest level in 16 years

US executions reached 47 in 2025, the most in 16 years; the rise followed a presidential executive order on the death penalty and a pattern of the Supreme Court denying requests to stay executions.

US executions increased markedly in 2025, with 47 people put to death, the highest annual total since 2009. The rise followed a presidential executive order issued on 20 January described as "Restoring the death penalty," and a subsequent increase in federal capital prosecutions. Several states resumed or intensified executions after years of lower activity. Advocacy groups and legal observers noted that the US Supreme Court denied requests to stay executions throughout the year. Key facts: - Forty-seven people were executed in 2025, the highest yearly total since 2009. - The president issued an executive order on 20 January titled "Restoring the death penalty," and the Department of Justice authorized new capital prosecutions. - Twelve states carried out executions in 2025, and a relatively small number of states accounted for a large share of those cases. - The US Supreme Court denied requests to stay executions this year, reducing opportunities for last-minute judicial intervention. Summary: The rise to 47 executions represents a notable reversal from a long-term decline and increases the United States' divergence from most other developed countries on capital punishment. Undetermined at this time.