In a historic move, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment (without parole), just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, an advocate of expanding capital punishment, is set to take office. Biden’s decision, announced on Monday, spares individuals convicted of heinous crimes but leaves three federal inmates, including Dylann Roof, Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers, on death row.
Biden mentioned in his official White House statement that the commutations align with his administration’s moratorium on federal executions, adding, “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”. However, he underscored his moral opposition to the death penalty, stating that, guided by his conscience and experience, he is convinced that its use at the federal level should be abolished.
The decision drew sharp criticism from Trump’s camp, with spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a Trump campaign, stating that it was “abhorrent,” calling it a slap in the face to the victims and their families. Trump himself has previously lauded the death penalty and vowed to expand its use. During a campaign rally speech, he proposed capital punishment for drug dealers and human smugglers, saying, “We need to get tough on crime, and that includes bringing back swift justice” (source: Trump campaign rally speech).
Victims’ families expressed mixed reactions. Heather Turner, whose mother was killed in a 2017 South Carolina bank robbery, reprimanded Biden’s decision on Facebook, stating that, “The pain and trauma we have endured over the last seven years is indescribable. Biden’s decision is a clear gross abuse of power.”
Biden’s action also received praise from advocacy groups and religious leaders, with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops stating it “a significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation.” However, abolitionists urged Biden to go further, warning against the possible consequences of leaving the death penalty available for use as Trump steps into office.
As Biden’s presidency nears its end, the debate over capital punishment remains deeply divisive. While he has acted decisively to curtail federal executions, critical arguments persist about his partial commutations, leaving room for potential abuse under future administrations.
