Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is under renewed scrutiny for the state’s use of capital punishment after a group of more than 130 U.S. military veterans asked him to halt the executions of former service members on death row. Their open letter contends that carrying out death sentences against veterans—many of whom, they say, suffer from combat-related trauma—undercuts DeSantis’s claim that Florida is the nation’s “most veteran-friendly state.” Since taking office in 2019, DeSantis has overseen nine executions, five of which involved inmates who once served in the armed forces: Bobby Joe Long, Duane Owen, Edward James, Jeffrey Hutchinson and Edward Zakrzewski. Long was put to death for abducting, raping and killing at least 10 women; Owen for the rape and murder of two females, including a 14-year-old; and James for murdering a woman and her eight-year-old child. Hutchinson and Zakrzewski were executed for separate multiple homicides. Conservative commentators this week defended the governor, emphasizing the brutality of the crimes and rejecting criticism that the executions represent a betrayal of military veterans. The Daily Beast story that first highlighted the veterans’ letter characterized DeSantis’s record as a reversal of his stated support for those who served. Florida’s execution calendar remains active, with condemned veteran Kayle Bates scheduled to die on Aug. 19 and Curtis Windom on Aug. 28. DeSantis’s office has not publicly responded to the veterans’ plea, leaving the broader debate over mental health, military service and capital punishment unresolved.