President Biden has commuted the sentences of nearly all inmates on federal death row, with the exception of three individuals responsible for heinous crimes. Of the 40 inmates on federal death row, 37 have had their sentences commuted to life without the possibility of parole. The excluded individuals include Robert Bowers, Dylann Roof, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who were involved in mass shootings and bombings resulting in multiple deaths.
The decision to commute these sentences comes as part of Biden's stance against the death penalty, which he supports only for cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder at the federal level. This move prevents the Trump administration from carrying out executions that would not align with current policy and practice.
Among the 37 individuals whose sentences have been commuted are convicted murderers involved in various violent acts, including killings of law enforcement officers, children, and other inmates. The list includes individuals who committed murders during carjackings, kidnappings, drug-related crimes, murder-for-hire plots, and deadly bank robberies.
Biden's decision to commute these sentences has sparked mixed reactions from lawmakers and the public. The President has faced criticism for his previous commutations and pardons, including those for prisoners placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the criticism, various groups and individuals, including former corrections officials and advocacy organizations, have praised Biden's decision. They view it as a courageous step that sends a strong message against the use of the death penalty as a solution to public safety concerns.
Biden has indicated that he will continue to review additional pardons and commutations in the remaining weeks of his presidency, aiming to provide meaningful second chances to individuals deserving of clemency.
