When was the last person hanged for treason?

Asked by: Eulalia Nikolaus  |  Last update: June 4, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (54 votes)

The last person hanged for treason in the United States was William Bruce Mumford in 1862 for tearing down a U.S. flag in occupied New Orleans; while the United Kingdom saw William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw) hanged in 1946 for treasonous radio broadcasts, and Private Theodore Schurch in 1946 for treachery, making him the last executed for treachery (a related offense).

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. North Carolina, U.S.

When was the last time someone was charged with treason?

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. Since 1956, only one person indicted for treason—Adam Gadahn, in 2006, for making propaganda videos for al-Qaeda.

Has the U.S. ever executed someone for treason?

Death sentences for treason under the Constitution have been carried out 16 times. The United States executed 15 Taos Revolt insurgents led by Pablo Montoya and Tomás Romero in 1847.

How many British people were executed for treason in WWII?

Two other British collaborators, John Amery and William Joyce, were executed after being convicted of high treason. In Gibraltar, two young Spanish men, Luis Lopez Cordon-Cuenca and Jose Martin Munoz, were tried under a similar treachery statute for being involved in acts of sabotage against the British.

The Last Man Britain Ever Hanged for Treason

33 related questions found

Why were soldiers given condoms in WWII?

WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for VD prevention, as the military issued them to combat high rates of syphilis and gonorrhea, but soldiers also found numerous practical, non-sexual uses, like waterproofing rifle muzzles to keep out mud, creating waterproof containers for fuses, or even using them as emergency surgical gloves. The military distributed condoms through "prophylactic kits" and vending machines as part of anti-VD campaigns, recognizing their effectiveness in keeping soldiers fit for duty.
 

Are WWII bodies still being found?

Yes, bodies from World War II are still being found regularly across Europe, the Pacific, and other former battlefields, discovered through ground-breaking work by war grave commissions, volunteers, and even accidental finds as landscapes change, with many remains recovered from mass graves, old trenches, and underwater sites, prompting ongoing identification efforts by agencies like the U.S. DPAA. 

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.

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. 

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.

Can a US 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 ...

Were the Rosenbergs actually guilty of treason?

Evidence suggests that Ethel was held mainly in an effort to force her husband to reveal further names and information. On March 29, 1951, following a high-profile trial, the Rosenbergs were convicted of treason, in the form of passing atomic secrets to Russia.

What is the US Code 18?

Title 18 of the United States Code is the primary federal law codifying U.S. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, covering federal offenses, criminal justice processes, prisons, and witness immunity, organized into five parts: Crimes, Criminal Procedure, Prisons and Prisoners, Correction of Youthful Offenders, and Immunity of Witnesses. It functions like a state penal code, detailing everything from general provisions (like accessories) to specific crimes (like bribery, espionage, and cybercrimes). 

Can you still get killed for treason?

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.

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.

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.

Can the US government be overthrown?

While the U.S. Constitution acknowledges a right to revolution in extreme cases, overthrowing the government is legally prohibited and practically difficult, requiring overcoming strong military loyalty to civilian command, widespread civilian resistance (due to an armed populace), and control over major centers; however, concerns exist about democratic erosion through "soft coups" or executive overreach, as seen in analyses of events like January 6th and discussions around tools like "Project 2025". 

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. 

What were Thomas Jefferson's last words before he died?

Thomas Jefferson's last recorded words were, "No, doctor, nothing more," refusing medicine, but his more famous, poignant final utterances before dying on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1826) were inquiries about the date, such as "Is it the Fourth?" or "This is the Fourth of July," showing his desire to live to see that day.

When was the last time the US 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 three acts are considered treason?

The three acts of treason, as defined by the US Constitution, are:

  • Levying War Against the United States. It means actively taking up arms against the US government or military to overthrow it.
  • Adhering to the Enemies of the United States. ...
  • Giving Aid and Comfort to the Enemies of the United States.

Who cleaned up all the bodies after WWII?

After gathering bodies near the front lines, GRS companies transported the remains to collection points located in isolated areas in the rear areas, where personnel made their best possible efforts with the help of scientific equipment and medical technology to positively identify remains.

Who was the soldier who stayed hidden for 29 years?

The Japanese Soldier Who Didn't Know the War Ended (Philippines, 1974) Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier, kept hiding in the jungle for 29 years after WWII, thinking the war never ended. He finally surrendered in 1974, when his former commander flew to the island and personally told him it was over.