What is the most recent treason conviction?
Asked by: Mr. Samson Schinner | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (36 votes)
The most recent high-profile treason conviction in the U.S. was Tomoya Kawakita in 1952, but more recent cases involve non-U.S. citizens or charges in other countries, like Russian-American Ksenia Khavana (jailed in Russia, 2024) and Russian engineer Mikhail Vzvodnov (convicted in Russia, 2026) for aiding foreign powers, highlighting that treason convictions are now rarer in the U.S. due to strict constitutional proof requirements, though attempted prosecutions, like Adam Gadahn's (killed before trial), have occurred.
When was the last person convicted of treason?
Tomoya Kawakita is the last American to have been convicted of treason in U.S. courts. In 1952, he was convicted on the grounds of having mistreated American prisoners of war in service of the Japanese military during World War II.
Has anyone in the U.S. been charged with treason?
Yes, people have been charged with treason in the U.S., though prosecutions are extremely rare due to the strict constitutional definition (levying war or aiding enemies) and high burden of proof, with the most recent federal indictment being Adam Gadahn in 2006, who was never tried as he was killed in a drone strike. Historically, figures like Mildred "Axis Sally" Gellars and Iva "Tokyo Rose" Toguri were convicted of treason for propaganda during WWII, while John Brown was convicted of treason against Virginia in 1859.
When was the last time the U.S. executed someone?
The last federal execution in the U.S. was Dustin Higgs on January 16, 2021, under the Trump administration; however, state executions continue, with recent activity in states like Texas and Missouri, so the absolute last U.S. execution overall depends on the specific state's date, with recent ones occurring in late 2024/early 2025 in Missouri (Michael Tisius - June 2023), Texas (Jemelle Hollis, Richard Stark - late 2024), and potentially Ohio (pending new methods in 2025/2026), though federal executions remain on hold.
Can a U.S. citizen be charged with 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
Is treason still punishable by death in the USA?
The punishment for treason is defined in the U.S. Code and is subject to change. Treason is a serious federal crime, and its consequences can be severe, resulting in imprisonment for not less than five years and even death. A fine of not less than $10,000 is also levied in case of conviction.
What is the 2 witness rule for treason?
"No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two (2) witnesses at least to the same over act or on confession of the accused in open court.
What was Obama's death penalty?
On 17 January 2017, three days before leaving office after eight years in the White House, President Barack Obama commuted one military death sentence and one federal death sentence. The prisoner in each case will now serve life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Which country has no death penalty?
DENMARK abolished the death penalty for all crimes. LUXEMBOURG, NICARAGUA, and NORWAY abolished the death penalty for all crimes. BRAZIL, FIJI, and PERU abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes.
Why did Texas stop last meals?
Texas abolished special last meals for death row inmates in 2011 after inmate Lawrence Russell Brewer ordered a large, extravagant meal and then refused to eat any of it, which angered officials and the public, leading to the decision to serve only the standard prison meal instead. This change was pushed by Senator John Whitmire, who felt it was inappropriate to grant such privileges to convicted murderers, especially after Brewer's disrespectful act.
Can a president be charged with treason?
Yes, a president can be charged with treason, but the process involves impeachment by the House and a Senate trial for removal from office, after which they could face criminal prosecution, though a sitting president generally isn't criminally prosecuted due to constitutional norms and potential conflicts with executive functions. Treason is defined in the Constitution as "levying war against [the U.S.], or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort," requiring strict proof.
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.
What is the US Code 18?
Title 18 of the United States Code is the primary federal law covering Crimes and Criminal Procedure, encompassing federal offenses, court processes, prisons, and witness immunity, divided into five main parts: Crimes, Criminal Procedure, Prisons and Prisoners, Correction of Youthful Offenders, and Immunity of Witnesses, covering everything from espionage and terrorism to fraud and general criminal principles like aiding and abetting.
Who has been charged with treason in the USA?
In modern American history, since 1956, only one person has been indicted for treason, that of Adam Gadahn, in 2006, for making propaganda videos for al-Qaeda. However, he was never brought to trial because he was killed in an airstrike beforehand.
Can you still be executed for high treason?
Since the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 became law, the maximum sentence for treason in the UK has been life imprisonment. The last treason trial was that of William Joyce, "Lord Haw-Haw", who was executed by hanging in 1946.
Is it illegal to overthrow the government?
Seditious conspiracy, for example, is an effort to overthrow the United States government. People can be charged with sedition and conspiracy even if they never carry out the planned violence.
Does Russia have a death penalty?
Russia retains the death penalty in law, but there has been a moratorium since 1996, making it de facto abolitionist. The last executions on Russian territory were carried out in 1999 in Chechnya, "which de facto was not then under control of the Russian Federation".
What is the average age on death row?
Most prisoners on death row, at 17.6 percent, were between the ages of 50 and 54 years old. The death penalty is authorized in 27 states and by the federal government.
How much does the death penalty cost?
In total, the death penalty system cost California taxpayers $137 million each year, the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice found, whereas permanent imprisonment for all those currently on death row would cost just $11 million.
What was Obama's GPA?
Barack Obama reportedly had a 3.7 GPA when he graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Political Science in 1983, though official records aren't public; his biographer cited this figure after Obama mentioned it, highlighting his academic ability.
Did JFK believe in the death penalty?
JFK was an interesting man. Obviously, it seems as though he would have been completely against the concept of the death penalty. Through his signing of laws to his controversial speeches, he wanted it where no one would ever use this on another human.
Can you be shot for treason?
Penalty: Under U.S. Code Title 18, the penalty is death, or not less than five years' imprisonment (with a minimum fine of $10,000, if not sentenced to death). Any person convicted of treason against the United States also forfeits the right to hold public office in the United States.
What is the Article 142?
Article 142 is a unique provision. It grants the Supreme Court the power to pass any order necessary to secure complete justice. Its draft, Article 118, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly without any debate.
What is Article 114 about?
The Manual for Courts-Martial, under Article 114 (10 U.S.C. 914), prohibits any service member from engaging in reckless endangerment, dueling, willfully and wrongfully discharging a firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon. The government has seven methods to prove an endangerment offense against a service member.