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President Biden Considers Commuting Federal Death Row Inmates on His Way Out of Office
As President Biden’s term comes to an end, he is reportedly considering commuting the sentences of most, if not all, of the 40 men on the federal government’s death row. The decision would frustrate President-elect Trump’s plan to streamline executions as he takes office in January.
According to The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, Attorney General Merrick Garland recommended that Biden commute all but a handful of egregious sentences. Those who could see their death sentences commuted to life in prison include an ex-Marine who killed two young girls and later a female naval officer, and others convicted of kidnapping and murder.
The move would come after Biden, a lifelong Catholic, spoke with Pope Francis Thursday. The Pope had asked for the commutation of America’s condemned inmates in his weekly prayer. A decision could come by Christmas, the sources said.
Biden is the first president to openly oppose capital punishment. His 2020 campaign website declared he would work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example. Earlier in his administration, President Biden initially considered an executive order to abolish the death penalty, but the White House did not issue one.
In January 2021, Attorney General Garland announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study it further. The action has meant there have been no federal executions under President Biden.
