A spokesperson for President-elect Trump criticized President Biden’s decision to commute the death sentences of 37 inmates on federal death row, calling it a “slap in the face to the victims, their families, and their loved ones.” The spokesperson emphasized the contrast in approaches to crime between Biden and Trump, noting that Trump stands for the rule of law. The decision was seen as controversial, with Republican lawmakers expressing disappointment. Biden believes that the federal death penalty should only be imposed for acts of terrorism and hate-motivated killings. Biden’s decision to commute the sentences was aimed at preventing the incoming Trump administration from carrying out the executions.
The White House announced that Biden commuted the death sentences to life without the possibility of parole. Among the 37 men are law enforcement officers, children, and other inmates. The move was criticized by Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., who stated that it was a slap in the face to the victims and their families who were expecting justice. The White House explained that when Biden took office, his administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions. The actions taken by Biden would prevent the next administration from carrying out the execution sentences that would not be handed down under current policy and practice.
Three federal inmates whose death sentences were not commuted include Robert Bowers, responsible for the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018, Dylann Roof, a White supremacist who killed nine Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Biden stated that he could not stand by and allow a new administration to resume executions that he had halted. The action followed Biden commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 prisoners placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and pardoning 40 others, including his son, Hunter.
As of December 13, Biden has issued a total of 65 pardons and commuted sentences for 1,634 inmates during his time as president, according to the Department of Justice. White House officials highlighted that Biden has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms. In contrast, Trump took a tough stance on the death penalty, suggesting that drug dealers should be eligible for the death penalty. Trump’s campaign trail remarks implied support for the ultimate punishment for drug-related offenses.
The decision by Biden to commute the death sentences of the 37 inmates on federal death row elicited strong reactions from Republican lawmakers and Trump’s spokesperson. They viewed the move as a departure from the rule of law and a betrayal of justice for the victims and their families. Biden’s belief that the federal death penalty should be reserved for certain types of crimes led to the decision to commute the sentences and prevent the next administration from carrying out the executions. The actions taken by Biden contribute to a broader discussion on criminal justice policies and the moral implications of capital punishment.
Biden’s approach to clemency and pardons has marked his presidency, with a significant number of inmates benefiting from sentence commutations and pardons. The focus on granting clemency to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic and making decisions based on conscience reflect Biden’s priorities and values as president. The contrast between Biden’s actions and Trump’s previous statements on the death penalty highlights the divergent paths taken by the two administrations in addressing criminal justice issues. The impact of Biden’s decision on the 37 inmates and their families, as well as the broader implications for the criminal justice system, will continue to be discussed and debated in the public sphere.
