Biden Commutes Death Sentences as He Nears End of Presidency
In a historic move, Biden commutes death sentences for nearly all federal prisoners, signaling a shift in his administration’s stance on capital punishment
Biden, Death Penalty, Federal Prisoners, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Boston, Criminal Justice Reform
Washington: For the first time since 2017, a U.S. president has commuted the sentence of a federal prisoner on death row. President Joe Biden made a significant announcement on Monday, saying he would commute the death sentences of nearly all federal death row inmates.
Out of 40 prisoners, 37 will now serve life sentences instead of facing execution. Biden expressed his strong feelings about the death penalty, stating, “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 emphasized that his decision was guided by his conscience and experience.
However, three prisoners remain on death row due to their involvement in serious crimes like terrorism and mass murder. These include Dylann Roof, Robert Bowers, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who are known for their heinous acts against specific communities.
Biden’s decision follows weeks of advocacy from various groups urging him to take action before leaving office. The White House shared statements from supporters, including relatives of murder victims and criminal justice reform advocates, praising his move.
One notable supporter was Donnie Oliverio, a retired police officer from Columbus, Ohio, whose partner was killed by one of the commuted prisoners. He stated that executing the person responsible would not have brought him peace, highlighting the moral complexity of the issue.
Despite the support, Biden’s decision has faced backlash from conservative commentators and critics on social media, showing that opinions on the death penalty remain deeply divided.