Fact Check: "The death penalty is a legal punishment in some states in the U.S."
What We Know
The death penalty remains a legal form of punishment in several states across the United States. As of 2025, executions have been carried out in states such as Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, indicating that capital punishment is actively enforced in these jurisdictions (A look at the status of US executions in 2025). In total, twenty-three individuals have been executed in the U.S. in 2025 alone, with additional executions scheduled in states like Florida and Mississippi (List of people executed in the United States in 2025).
Moreover, the legal framework supporting capital punishment is reinforced by various state laws, with some states enacting new laws to expand the scope of the death penalty, such as for child rape, despite previous Supreme Court rulings (Capital punishment in the United States).
Analysis
The claim that the death penalty is a legal punishment in some states in the U.S. is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Death Penalty Information Center provides comprehensive statistics on executions and death row populations, confirming that numerous states continue to utilize capital punishment. Furthermore, the World Population Review indicates that while some states have moratoriums in place, the death penalty is still legally sanctioned in others.
The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are well-regarded in discussions about capital punishment. The information from the AP News article (A look at the status of US executions in 2025) is particularly valuable because it offers up-to-date information on recent executions and scheduled death sentences, reflecting the current state of capital punishment in the U.S.
However, it is important to note that the legal status of the death penalty can vary significantly between states, with some governors imposing moratoriums that effectively halt its use, even if the law still allows for it. For instance, states like California and Pennsylvania have legal provisions for capital punishment, but the governors have instituted moratoriums (World Population Review). This nuance is critical in understanding the broader landscape of capital punishment in the U.S.
Conclusion
The claim that "the death penalty is a legal punishment in some states in the U.S." is True. Evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that several states actively enforce capital punishment, with ongoing executions and legal frameworks supporting its use. While there are states with moratoriums, the existence of legal statutes permitting the death penalty in various jurisdictions validates the claim.
