The Army is preparing to carry out executions of four death-row inmates if President Trump authorizes the sentences, according to an internal planning document reviewed by ABC News. The plan, dubbed "Operation Resolute Justice" and issued in February, directs Army officials to coordinate with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer condemned prisoners from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the federal execution facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. If carried out, these would be the first military executions of American inmates in more than a half-century.
The Army's internal plan requires executions to be completed "no later than 150 days from the date of presidential approval of the death sentences." The plan lays out timelines for check-in meetings and detailed procedures for carrying out the executions should the president authorize them. Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith said the service has not received a specific order from the president to proceed. She characterized the planning as routine, stating that "exercises regarding this operation have been conducted regularly for the past 20 years. These drills are a standard component of our continued planning and preparation if the president approves a death sentence."
The plan also addresses how the Army would manage public communications surrounding an execution, including provisions for media access to witness the executions.
Ronald Gray, a former specialist and cook for the 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was convicted in 1988 on 14 charges, including three counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder, and three counts of rape. Gray is the only current death row inmate for which a president has signed off on the execution. President George W. Bush approved Gray's execution in July 2008 with a date set for December that year, though a federal judge halted the execution until that halt was lifted by another judge in 2016.
Nidal Hasan was sentenced to death for the Fort Hood mass shooting in 2009, which left 13 dead and 32 injured. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in September that he would be seeking Hasan's execution, stating "I am 100% committed to ensuring the death penalty is carried out for Nidal Hasan. The victims and survivors deserve justice without delays."
Army Sergeant Hasan Akbar was convicted of premeditated murder and attempted murder for throwing grenades into tents and opening fire on fellow soldiers during a 2003 attack at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait.
Timothy Hennis, a former master sergeant who worked on parachutes in the 82nd Airborne Division, was convicted in 1986 in North Carolina state court of raping a woman and murdering her and two of her daughters. His conviction was later overturned for insufficient evidence, and a 1989 retrial ended in an acquittal. Years later, preserved evidence was retested using DNA analysis not available at the time, prompting renewed scrutiny. Although double jeopardy protections barred another state prosecution, U.S. military prosecutors charged Hennis again after he was recalled to active duty. He was convicted in military court and sentenced to death.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to reinstate capital punishment and pursue its use more vigorously, following the Biden administration's pausing of federal executions. In April, the Justice Department announced additional steps aimed at speeding the administration of executions, including expanding approved methods such as death by firing squad.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment regarding whether Trump intends to give approval to move forward with the execution of any of the military's death row inmates.
The Army is preparing to carry out executions of four death-row inmates if President Trump authorizes the sentences, according to an internal planning document reviewed by ABC News. The plan, dubbed "Operation Resolute Justice" and issued in February, directs Army officials to coordinate with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer condemned prisoners from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the federal execution facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. If carried out, these would be the first military executions of American inmates in more than a half-century. The last military execution occurred in 1961, when Private John Bennett was put to death after being convicted of rape and attempted murder.
The Army's internal plan requires executions to be completed "no later than 150 days from the date of presidential approval of the death sentences." The plan lays out timelines for check-in meetings and detailed procedures for carrying out the executions should the president authorize them. Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith said the service has not received a specific order from the president to proceed. She characterized the planning as routine, stating that "exercises regarding this operation have been conducted regularly for the past 20 years. These drills are a standard component of our continued planning and preparation if the president approves a death sentence."
The plan also addresses how the Army would manage public communications surrounding an execution, including provisions for media access to witness the executions.
Ronald Gray, a former specialist and cook for the 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was convicted in 1988 on 14 charges, including three counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder, and three counts of rape. Gray is the only current death row inmate for which a president has signed off on the execution. President George W. Bush approved Gray's execution in July 2008 with a date set for December that year, though a federal judge halted the execution until that halt was lifted by another judge in 2016.
Nidal Hasan was sentenced to death for the Fort Hood mass shooting in 2009, which left 13 dead and 32 injured. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in September that he would be seeking Hasan's execution, stating "I am 100% committed to ensuring the death penalty is carried out for Nidal Hasan. The victims and survivors deserve justice without delays."
Army Sergeant Hasan Akbar was convicted of premeditated murder and attempted murder for throwing grenades into tents and opening fire on fellow soldiers during a 2003 attack at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait.
Timothy Hennis, a former master sergeant who worked on parachutes in the 82nd Airborne Division, was convicted in 1986 in North Carolina state court of raping a woman and murdering her and two of her daughters. His conviction was later overturned for insufficient evidence, and a 1989 retrial ended in an acquittal. Years later, preserved evidence was retested using DNA analysis not available at the time, prompting renewed scrutiny. Although double jeopardy protections barred another state prosecution, U.S. military prosecutors charged Hennis again after he was recalled to active duty. He was convicted in military court and sentenced to death.
Trump has used his second term to resuscitate the federal government's use of the death penalty. On his first day back in office, he signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to reinstate capital punishment and pursue its use more vigorously, following the Biden administration's pausing of federal executions. In April, the Justice Department announced additional steps aimed at speeding the administration of executions, including expanding approved methods such as death by firing squad.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment regarding whether Trump intends to give approval to move forward with the execution of any of the military's death row inmates.
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