Three men are set to be executed on the same day in the US, marking the first time in 16 years that such a coincidence has occurred. Anthony Darrell Hines, 66, Jeremy Williams, 41, and Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez, 71, will face the death penalty in Tennessee, Alabama, and Oklahoma, respectively. This development comes amid a significant increase in executions across the US.
The planned executions are part of a larger trend, with more than four times as many people put to death in 2025 as in 2021. The rise in executions has been driven in part by President Donald Trump’s support for the death penalty, which he has described as “an essential tool” for deterring crime. In 2020, Trump ended a nearly two-decade moratorium on the federal death penalty, and in 2025, he signed an executive order reinstating it.
Death Penalty Rise
The US has seen a marked increase in executions, with 47 taking place across 11 states in 2025. Florida has been a major contributor to this rise, with about 40% of the executions occurring in the state. Experts attribute this to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has championed the death penalty as a “strong deterrent” for crime. DeSantis has implemented changes to laws that make it easier to carry out executions, including reducing the number of jurors required to recommend the death penalty.
The death penalty remains a contentious issue in the US, with 27 states having it under state law. While some states have paused executions due to concerns about botched executions, discrimination, and cost, many still support the practice. The US is one of the few western countries that still has the death penalty, which has been largely phased out in Europe and is beginning to wane in Africa.
Implications and Reactions
The increase in executions has sparked debate about the effectiveness and ethics of the death penalty. Critics argue that it is not an effective deterrent and that it is often applied unfairly. Meanwhile, supporters like Trump and DeSantis argue that it is a necessary tool for justice. As the US continues to grapple with the issue, the executions of Hines, Williams, and Cuesta-Rodriguez serve as a reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding the death penalty.
The rise in executions also raises questions about the role of state governors in carrying out capital punishment. In Florida, DeSantis has the singular ability to sign a death warrant for prisoners who have no more appeals, without oversight from the courts. This has led to concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the execution process.
