US President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal inmates on death row, converting their penalties to life imprisonment without parole. This significant decision comes just weeks before he hands over power to President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Biden’s move is set to frustrate Trump’s plans to resume federal executions, which saw a resurgence during Trump’s first term in office after a nearly 20-year hiatus. Unlike executive orders, clemency decisions are irreversible by a successor, although the death penalty can still be pursued aggressively in future cases.
Biden, a staunch opponent of the death penalty during his presidential campaign, put federal executions on hold upon taking office in January 2021.
[ Biden White House Invitation To Trump Continues Tradition Trump Dumped In 2020 ]
Facing mounting pressure from congressional Democrats, anti-capital punishment activists, and religious leaders, including Pope Francis, Biden took decisive action to commute the federal death sentences.
“Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden stated.
“But guided by my conscience and my experience, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level. In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.”
Earlier this month, Biden also commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes.
He issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunter Biden, despite previous insistence that he would not do so. Hunter Biden had faced convictions for tax violations and firearms-related charges.
However, Biden’s clemency decision excludes cases of terrorism or hate-motivated mass murder, leaving out three prominent individuals on federal death row: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bombing), Dylann Roof (Charleston church shooting), and Robert Bowers (Tree of Life synagogue shooting).
All three have ongoing appeals and legal challenges, delaying any potential execution dates.
Importantly, Biden’s decision does not affect the nearly 2,200 death row inmates convicted in state courts, as federal authority does not extend to state executions. Typically, presidents issue a round of pardons toward the end of their term.
During Biden’s tenure, the Office of the Pardon Attorney received nearly 12,000 clemency requests, with the president granting 161, including 26 pardons and 135 commutations.
Catch up with the latest news from The Times Post on WhatsApp by following our channel. Click here to join.
Kindly follow @thetimespost on Instagram. On X (Twitter), follow @thetimespost2.
