President Biden contemplates a sweeping change to federal death penalty policy, potentially commuting sentences for dozens of inmates.
At a Glance
- Biden is considering commuting sentences for most, if not all, of the 40 men on federal death row
- The decision could be announced by Christmas, following recommendations from Attorney General Merrick Garland
- Notable inmates like Dylann Roof and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev may be affected
- Pope Francis has advocated for the commutation of death row sentences
- The move aligns with Biden’s 2020 campaign promise to work towards eliminating the federal death penalty
Biden’s Potential Shift on Capital Punishment
President Joe Biden is reportedly weighing a significant policy change regarding federal death row inmates. The administration is considering commuting the sentences of “most, if not all” of the 40 men currently awaiting execution. This move would align with Biden’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment and his 2020 campaign pledge to address the issue.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has recommended commuting most sentences to life imprisonment without parole. However, exceptions might be made for notorious criminals such as Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof and Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The White House has not yet confirmed a final decision, but sources suggest an announcement could come as early as Christmas.
Influence of Catholic Faith and Global Abolition Movement
Biden claims his Catholic faith has played a significant role in shaping his stance on capital punishment. The President’s consideration follows a meeting with Pope Francis, who has been a vocal advocate for abolishing the death penalty worldwide. In 2018, Pope Francis declared capital punishment “inadmissible” in the Catholic Church’s Catechism, reinforcing the push for more “humane” approaches to criminal justice.
The potential policy shift reflects a broader global trend towards abolishing capital punishment. It also aligns with Biden’s recent actions on criminal justice reform, including the issuance of pardons and commutations for nearly 1,500 individuals released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Constitutional Powers and Public Debate
The U.S. Constitution grants the president broad powers to pardon federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment. While a pardon does not erase the offense from a criminal record, it can help restore civil rights. Biden’s consideration of using this power for death row inmates has sparked debate over the appropriate balance between justice and mercy in the criminal justice system.
President Biden is considering commuting the sentences of most, if not all, of the 40 men on the federal government’s death row. w/@cryanbarber https://t.co/gOcVzkWk87
— @jessbravin.bsky.social (@JessBravin) December 20, 2024
Critics argue that commuting sentences for all death row inmates, including those who committed heinous crimes, could be seen as too lenient. Supporters of the move, however, point to concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of capital punishment, as well as the potential for wrongful convictions.
