President Donald Trump said kidnappers who abducted Nancy Guthrie — the mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie — could face the harshest possible federal punishment if she is not returned safely.
In a phone interview with the New York Post on Monday, Feb. 16, Trump said those responsible for the Feb. 1 abduction from her Tucson, Arizona, home could face “very, very severe — the most severe” consequences if she is found dead. Asked whether that meant the death penalty, he said it did.
Trump also commented publicly on the investigation Monday, praising television commentary about the case and expressing hope for a positive outcome.
Arizona is among the states where the death penalty remains legal, though executions have been limited in recent years. Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has previously opposed capital punishment but has said her administration would follow current law, including allowing death sentences under the state’s legal process.
Federal prosecutors could also become involved if investigators determine that federal laws were violated, including situations involving interstate activity. The case is being investigated by the FBI.
Trump has emphasized support for capital punishment in recent policy actions, including an executive order signed at the start of his second term that framed the death penalty as a key tool for public safety and deterrence.
More than two weeks after the abduction, no arrests have been made, and no one has been charged. Investigators have continued to pursue leads and examine areas near Guthrie’s home.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said a late-night raid the previous evening did not result in any arrests. The department confirmed that investigative activity about two miles from Guthrie’s home was connected to her disappearance.
