America Should Restore Swift Public Executions for Violent Criminals
Source: Samuel Kimzey. "Here's A Not-So-Modest Proposal: Bring Back Public Executions." May 18, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues America should bring back public executions that happen quickly after conviction, especially for violent criminals whose guilt is obvious. He believes this would deter crime better than our current system and save money while preventing dangerous criminals from potentially being released.
Conclusion
America should bring back swift, guaranteed public executions for violent criminals, particularly those whose guilt is certain
Premises
- Current violent criminals with clear guilt (assassination attempts, murders) remain alive in prison for months or years instead of being executed quickly
- Capital punishment is effective at deterring crime by permanently preventing executed criminals from reoffending and inspiring fear in potential criminals
- Swift execution saves taxpayer money by eliminating the cost of long-term imprisonment
- Quick execution prevents the possibility of leftist judges or bureaucrats prematurely releasing dangerous criminals who then commit more crimes
- Public executions would send a clear deterrent message to potential criminals and enemies of America
- Modern society has become too soft and empathetic toward criminals due to liberal influence, requiring more severe punishment to restore effective deterrence
- Historical precedent shows swift justice worked effectively (McKinley assassination case resolved in under two months)
Assumptions
- The death penalty is morally justified for certain violent crimes
- Public spectacle of execution enhances deterrent effect
- Current judicial system is corrupted by leftist sympathies
- Fear-based deterrence is an effective crime prevention strategy
- Society has become too lenient and needs to return to harsher punishment
- Swift justice without extensive appeals is preferable to thorough due process
- The cases cited represent clear guilt requiring no further legal process