Trump threatens death penalty in Nancy Guthrie abduction

President Donald Trump has warned the captors of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother that they could face the death penalty if she is found dead, underscoring the high stakes of the ongoing investigation.

In a phone interview with the New York Post on Monday, Feb. 16, Trump said the abductors, who took 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson, Arizona home on Feb. 1, could face “very, very severe, the most severe” federal consequences if she is harmed. 

When pressed on whether that included the death penalty, Trump confirmed, “The most, yeah, that’s true.”

Trump also referenced the case in a post on Truth Social, praising the investigative work being conducted. 

“Nicole Parker, formerly of the FBI, is doing a great job of explaining, on Fox News, the Nancy Guthrie investigation,” he wrote. “Others also, working so hard, with such expertise and knowledge. Hopefully, there will be a positive result!”

Arizona is among 27 U.S. states that still allow the death penalty, although the state has carried out only two executions since 2022 under Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who has pledged to follow state law regarding capital punishment.

Federal involvement is also possible. Trump’s Department of Justice could bring charges under federal statutes, particularly if the kidnapping involved interstate activity. During his second term, Trump signed an executive order emphasizing the death penalty as a tool to deter and punish “the most heinous crimes and acts of lethal violence against American citizens,” calling it “the ultimate deterrent and only proper punishment for the vilest crimes.”

Despite weeks of investigation, no arrests have been made. On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a late-night raid tied to the case did not result in any charges. Authorities continue to investigate persons of interest and areas surrounding Guthrie’s home, including locations two miles from the abduction site.