Joe Biden Commutes Dozens of Death Sentences Ahead of Departure

President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of nearly all federal death row inmates, a divisive move that spares 37 individuals from execution but leaves the nation grappling with the ethical and political implications.

At a Glance

Biden commuted 37 death row sentences to life in prison without parole.
Biden’s decision aligns with his anti-death penalty stance.
Controversy surrounds the omission of three notorious criminals from commutation.
The decision highlights Biden’s aim to prevent future executions under new leadership.

The Commutation Decision

Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without parole, sparing them from execution. This move reduces the federal death row to only three inmates: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Robert Bowers, and Dylann Roof, all involved in high-profile mass killings. Biden’s campaign to end the federal death penalty previously lacked congressional support, prompting him to act within his presidential powers and direct the Justice Department to pause federal executions.

This action exemplifies Biden’s stance against the federal death penalty, following intense pressure from influential figures such as Pope Francis and anti-death penalty advocates. Biden explicitly stated, “I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level,” and emphasized his intention to block future administrations from reinstating these execution practices.

I am commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole.

This action is consistent with my Administration's moratorium on federal executions, except for cases involving terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. pic.twitter.com/Obxfytxxbb

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 23, 2024

Reactions and Criticisms

Biden’s decision was met with mixed reactions. Critics argue it undermines judicial processes and is politically driven. Some, like Rev. Sharon Risher, vocally opposing the decision, stated, “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victim’s families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal.”

Praise and criticism split along party lines, with some Democrats viewing the act as moral leadership. Critics, including Republican figures, demand legal investigations into the commutations.

Future Implications

Biden’s actions cannot be reversed by future presidents, solidifying his legacy in death penalty reform. By commuting sentences just before the holiday season, Biden highlights his commitment to humane justice reforms, although leaving many to question if other campaign promises, particularly surrounding cannabis-related imprisonments, will be upheld.

The move does not affect death penalty laws at the state level, where over 2,250 inmates remain on death row. Biden’s decision symbolizes a definitive shift in federal policy, ensuring these 37 spared individuals face lifelong imprisonment but no further execution threat.