this U.S. Army The United States is reportedly developing contingency plans to carry out military executions for the first time in more than 50 years, according to an internal document reviewed by ABC News.
The plan, known internally as Operation Resolute Justice, outlines the process that would be launched if approved by the president. It involves the transfer of four death row inmates currently at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the federal execution facility in Terre Haute, Indiana.
If carried out, it would mark the first military execution of a member of the military since 1961, a major break in the U.S. armed forces’ decades-long absence of the death penalty.
Presidential approval
Although military courts have the power to issue death sentenceno execution can be carried out without authorization from the President of the United States.
Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith confirmed that such preparations are part of long-term emergency drills and not part of proactive execution of orders. She told ABC News:
“We have been conducting regular exercises regarding this operation for the past 20 years. These exercises are a standard part of our ongoing planning and preparation should the president authorize the death penalty.”
No formal enforcement instructions have been issued at this stage, she added.
Internal planning outlines timelines and logistics
According to internal documents, the Army has developed an operational timeline that indicates executions could be carried out within 150 days of presidential approval of the death penalty.
The framework reportedly includes coordination among multiple Army units, federal agencies and correctional authorities to manage inmate transfers, security protocols and execution procedures.
It also addresses how communications and public messaging are handled in the context of authorized execution.
U.S. federal execution
The development comes amid renewed attention on the use of the death penalty in the United States. Restoration during federal executions Donald TrumpThe first term comes after a long pause that the Biden administration later called a halt to.
The report also noted that execution policy at the federal level has changed in recent years, including expanded consideration of execution methods such as firing squads, electrocution and gas asphyxiation, according to Justice Department communications cited by the outlet.
Currently, no execution order has been issued, and Army preparations remain hypothetical and conditional on presidential authorization.
