President Joe Biden has reduced the sentences of 37 federal death row prisoners. Replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment, the White House announced on Monday.
The move comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to begin his second term. This historic decision aligns with Biden’s suspension of federal executions, except in cases involving terrorism or hate-motivated mass killings.
The three inmates excluded from this decision are Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bomber), Robert Bowers (Tree of Life Synagogue shooter), and Dylann Roof (Charleston church shooter).These cases involve some of the most heinous crimes in recent history and fall outside Biden’s commutation plan.
However, Biden expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families in a statement.
“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,” he said.
“But guided by my conscience and experience, I am convinced we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.”
The decision also addresses racial justice concerns. About 38% of federal death row prisoners are Black. While people of color make up 56% of the 40 individuals initially sentenced to death.
Civil rights advocates and groups like Amnesty International have long called for such action, emphasizing the death penalty’s unfair impact on minorities and its irreversible nature.
One notable case among the commuted sentences is that of Billie Jerome Allen. He was sentenced to death at 19 for a Missouri bank robbery that ended in a security guard’s death. Amnesty International has raised concerns over racial bias and insufficient evidence in his trial.
On the other hand Trump and his allies have criticized Biden’s move. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, called it a “slap in the face to the victims and their families.”
Trump, who supervised 13 federal executions during his first term has pledged to expand the use of capital punishment for heinous crimes. His view on the death penalty shows his strict approach to law and order. This is very different from Biden’s focus on reforms.
Trump’s strict stance of law coincides with his global ventures, including his recent business expansions in Panama. His focus is on growing his international presence. He is also returning to the White House. This signals a continuation of his bold and controversial leadership style.
Biden’s decision follows calls from activists and faith leaders. Pope Francis is among those who urged him. Over 130 human rights groups also called for action. They wanted Biden to commute federal death sentences before Trump’s return to power.
Pope Francis, a staunch opponent of the death penalty, even appealed for clemency for death row inmates in the U.S.
As the United States deals with the future of capital punishment, Biden’s commutations mark a significant step toward ending federal executions.
However, with Trump’s expansion into Panama and plans to strengthen the death penalty, the debate over justice, fairness, and human rights is far from over.
