US Execution Methods Face Renewed Scrutiny After Botched Tennessee Execution

The United States allows several ways to carry out executions.

Lethal injection is used most often.

In 2025, some executions also used nitrogen inhalation and firing squads.

A botched execution in Tennessee renewed arguments about whether these methods are safe or humane.

Other executions have also gone badly in different states.

Some states have had trouble obtaining the drugs needed for lethal injections.

States sometimes pause executions after a failure and change their procedures.

Laura Porter, who opposes the death penalty, says no method is perfect.

She also says more information should be made public about how executions are carried out.