Has anyone ever been convicted of treason in the United States?
Asked by: Hazle Gislason | Last update: May 10, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (66 votes)
Yes, people have been convicted of treason in the U.S., though it's extremely rare, with only about a dozen federal convictions in U.S. history, and many cases from the Civil War era or involving aiding the enemy during wartime, but the last major federal conviction was decades ago, with charges like those against Adam Gadahn in modern times not leading to trial due to circumstances like his death. Famous examples include the Rosenbergs (though often debated if their espionage was technically treason) and figures like Mildred Gillars (Axis Sally).
How many U.S. citizens have been charged with treason?
While Treason prosecutions are rare today, only 40 cases have been prosecuted in U.S. history. Of the 40 treason cases charged since the founding of the U.S., only 13 resulted in a conviction, and only three people have been executed for it, Eisner Gorin stated.
Can a U.S. president be charged with treason?
Article II, Section 4: The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. President Donald Trump was impeached twice during his single term in office.
Has anyone ever been sentenced to death for treason?
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
They were charged with treason in 1951 for their role in passing nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union. They were convicted, sentenced to death, and executed in 1953.
Can a U.S. citizen be killed for treason?
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and ...
Treason Against the United States
When was the last time the US charged someone with treason?
Since 1954, however, only one person has been charged with treason against the United States. And that single instance was relatively unusual: in 2006, a federal grand jury indicted Adam Gadahn for treason based on his participation in several al-Qaeda propaganda videos.
Can a president pardon someone for treason?
As far as treason is concerned, this question tees up a very important part of the constitutional history. So treason is one of the things the president can pardon for. It was the basis of the first pardons that George Washington gave to the Whiskey Rebellion defendants.
Which president shot a man for treason?
Answer and Explanation: There has never been a president of the United States who shot a man (or woman) for treason. This belief stems from the movie, Swordfish, in which the event is mentioned; however, it is a total fabrication and never occurred.
Who was the last person hung for treason?
In response, Union Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler, the commander of the Union ground forces, had Mumford court-martialed and executed for treason. He was the last person executed for treason against the United States.
Who is famous for treason?
For more than two centuries, all most Americans have ever known about Benedict Arnold is that he committed treason—yet he was more than a turncoat. He was a superb leader, a brilliant tactician, a supremely courageous soldier and one of the most successful military officers of the early years of the Revolutionary War.
Who cannot be pardoned by the president?
The President of the United States may pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the United States. They may also pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the District of Columbia. The president cannot grant pardons for violations of state laws.
Has a U.S. president ever gone to jail?
No U.S. President has ever been jailed, but one sitting president, Ulysses S. Grant, was arrested (for speeding), and Donald Trump is the first former president to be criminally convicted, though he received no jail time for his felony conviction and faces other charges, while Richard Nixon avoided indictment via a pardon, highlighting different brushes with legal trouble.
Are there any grounds to impeach Trump?
Grounds asserted for impeachment have included possible violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution by accepting payments from foreign dignitaries; alleged collusion with Russia during the campaign for the 2016 United States presidential election; alleged obstruction of justice with respect to ...
What is the highest form of treason in the United States?
Section 3 Treason
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.
Which U.S. state executes the most?
No state in the Northeast has conducted an execution since Connecticut, now abolitionist, in 2005. The state of Texas alone conducted 596 executions, over 1/3 of the total; the states of Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma make up over half the total. 17 executions have been conducted by the federal government.
What are the four elements of treason?
The four key elements for a U.S. treason conviction, derived from the Constitution and case law, are: (1) Adherence to enemies (intent to betray), (2) an overt act (a specific action), (3) two witnesses (testifying to the same act), and (4) giving aid and comfort to the enemy, all requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Essentially, you must have the intent to betray, commit a treasonous act, and it must be proven by two witnesses or a confession in court.
Is treason still punished by death?
Yes, treason can be punishable by death in the United States and many other countries, though it's a rare prosecution, with U.S. federal law allowing for the death penalty or significant prison time, fines, and a ban on holding office. While treason is a capital offense in U.S. federal law, state laws and enforcement vary, with some states having abolished the death penalty entirely, notes the Death Penalty Information Center.
What couple was executed for treason?
With the Cold War deepening, a recent war in Korea against Communist forces, and an escalating nuclear arms race, the electrocution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for treason and conspiracy to pass nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union was a first for the United States: the execution for espionage during peacetime.
When was the last time the U.S. executed someone?
The last U.S. federal execution was Dustin John Higgs on January 16, 2021, with several state executions occurring more recently, like in Texas (2024), Arizona (2022), and Virginia (2023). While there's a federal moratorium on new executions, state-level executions continue, though some states haven't used the death penalty in years.
What were Thomas Jefferson's last words before he died?
Thomas Jefferson's last words are famously associated with the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with reported phrases like "Is it the Fourth?" or "This is the Fourth of July," although his actual final words to his doctor were more prosaic: "No, doctor, nothing more," as he refused a final dose of laudanum. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day as his friend John Adams, and the date held deep significance for him.
Which President killed a man on the White House lawn?
There is a persistent story that, on the White House lawn, Thomas Jefferson personally executed a prisoner for treason. Some sources name the victim as a North Carolina man called Rodney Cox.
What vice president was tried for treason?
Trial. Chief Justice John Marshall presided over Burr's trial. Burr was charged with treason because of the alleged conspiracy and stood trial in Richmond, Virginia.
Has Donald Trump pardoned anyone?
Trump issued a total of 144 pardons during his first four years in office: 1 in 2017, 6 in 2018, 11 in 2019, 52 in 2020, and 74 in January 2021.
What are three things the President can't do?
A PRESIDENT CANNOT . . .
declare war. decide how federal money will be spent. interpret laws.
What crimes cannot be pardoned?
Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardon for federal offenses, including those obtained in the United States District Courts, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and military courts-martial. The President cannot pardon a state criminal offense.