You’d think the death penalty would be a straightforward topic, but 2025 turned everything we thought we knew on its head. It was a weird year. Historically, Texas has always been the face of capital punishment in the U.S., but last year, Florida basically said, "Hold my beer."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed off on 19 executions in 2025 alone. To put that in perspective, the state only did one in 2024. That massive jump is the main reason why the national total hit 47 executions—the highest number the U.S. has seen since 2009.
Now that we’re sitting in January 2026, the vibe is shifting again. We’re seeing this massive disconnect. While some states are ramping up, juries are doing the opposite. They aren't handing out death sentences like they used to. In fact, more than half of the juries that had the choice last year chose life without parole instead.
People are getting skeptical.
The 2026 Calendar: Who is Next?
The execution chambers aren't staying cold for long this year. We’ve already got a list of names and dates that are "active," meaning unless a governor or a judge steps in at the last second, these are happening.
Texas is back at it first. Charles Victor Thompson is scheduled for January 28. He’s been on death row since 1999 for a double murder in Houston. It’s a case that’s been through the ringer of appeals for over 25 years.
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Florida isn't slowing down either. Ronald Heath is set for February 10. Then you’ve got Oklahoma jumping in with Kendrick Simpson on February 12.
It’s not all "business as usual," though. Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine has been issuing reprieves like crazy because of "pharmaceutical supply chain issues"—basically, they can’t get the drugs they need. Antonio Franklin was supposed to die in February, but his date just got pushed all the way to 2029.
What’s Going on in Texas? (It’s Not What You Think)
Texas is actually in a bit of a slump, if you can call it that. For the second year in a row, they weren't the number one state for executions. That’s a huge deal for a state that usually leads the pack.
The biggest story right now is Robert Roberson. If you haven’t heard his name, you will. He was convicted of killing his daughter based on "Shaken Baby Syndrome" (SBS).
The problem? SBS is now widely considered "junk science" by a lot of medical experts.
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A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers actually stepped in and used a subpoena to stop his execution last year. It was a wild, unprecedented move. As of this month, Roberson has an evidentiary hearing set for June 2026. If he wins, it could blow the doors open for other cases built on old forensic theories.
The Global Picture: Iran and the "Hidden" Numbers
While the U.S. debate is loud, it’s tiny compared to what’s happening globally.
Iran is currently carrying out executions at a terrifying rate. Just yesterday, reports came out that at least 52 people were executed there recently. The government says they aren't executing protesters, but rights groups like HRANA say they're just renaming them "saboteurs" or "terrorists" to justify the hangings.
China remains the world leader, but they treat their execution numbers like a state secret. We don't even know the real count. It's likely in the thousands.
Then you have countries like Zimbabwe, which officially abolished the death penalty in December 2024. The world is basically splitting into two camps: a shrinking group of countries that are using it more intensely, and a growing group that wants nothing to do with it.
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The Supreme Court’s New Stance
If you’re waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and stop the surge, don't hold your breath.
In 2025, the Court didn't grant a single stay of execution. Not one. They’ve basically adopted a "hands-off" approach to the actual killings, even while they rule on the technicalities of the law.
Just a few days ago, on January 14, they dropped a ruling in Barrett v. United States. It was a technicality about firearm charges and the death penalty. Justice Jackson wrote the opinion, basically saying you can’t double-dip on punishments for the same act. It helps some people on death row with their sentencing, but it doesn't stop the executions themselves.
Why does this keep happening?
- Politics: Governors in "red" states often see death warrants as a way to show they’re tough on crime.
- New Methods: Alabama and Louisiana are now using nitrogen gas, which is controversial as hell but legal for now.
- Court Fatigue: Federal courts are increasingly tired of last-minute appeals that they feel are just "stalling tactics."
Actionable Insights: What You Can Do
If this news has you feeling some type of way, you don't have to just sit there. Here is how you actually track this or get involved:
- Follow the Data: The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) is the gold standard. They update their execution calendar in real-time. If a stay is granted, they’ll have it first.
- Watch the "Junk Science" Cases: Keep an eye on the Robert Roberson hearing in June. If his conviction is overturned, it will be a landmark moment for the American legal system.
- Local Legislation: New Hampshire is currently debating bills to reinstate the death penalty. If you live there, now is the time to call your representative, regardless of which side you're on.
- Jury Duty: It sounds boring, but this is where the power is. Juries are the ones choosing life over death right now. If you get called, don't try to get out of it.
The death penalty in 2026 isn't a settled issue. It’s a messy, localized, and deeply political tug-of-war. Whether it’s Florida’s surge or Texas’s forensic battles, the map of capital punishment is being redrawn every single month.