President Biden Considering Commuting Death Sentences of Federal Inmates
As President Biden’s term nears its end, he is reportedly contemplating commuting the sentences of the majority, if not all, of the 40 men currently on the federal government’s death row. This potential move would go against President-elect Trump’s plan to streamline executions as he assumes office in January.
Recommendation from Attorney General Merrick Garland
Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that Attorney General Merrick Garland, who oversees federal prisons, has recommended that Biden commute the sentences of all but a few individuals with particularly egregious crimes. This suggestion is in line with Biden’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment.
Exceptions to the Potential Commutations
While the majority of death row inmates could see their sentences commuted to life in prison, there are a few exceptions being considered. These exceptions may include individuals such as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber who killed three people and injured over 250; Robert Bowers, responsible for the 2018 attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that claimed the lives of 11 individuals; and Dylann Roof, who killed nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015.
Other Cases Being Reviewed
Among those who may have their death sentences commuted to life in prison are individuals like an ex-Marine who killed two young girls and later a female naval officer, a Las Vegas man convicted of kidnapping and killing a 12-year-old girl, a Chicago podiatrist who fatally shot a patient to prevent her from testifying in a Medicare fraud investigation, and two men involved in a kidnapping-for-ransom scheme that led to the deaths of five Russian and Georgian immigrants.
The Influence of Pope Francis
Biden, a devout Catholic, recently had a conversation with Pope Francis, who requested the commutation of America’s condemned inmates during his weekly prayer. This conversation may have played a role in Biden’s consideration of commuting the sentences of federal death row inmates.
Timing and Scope of the Potential Commutations
Sources suggest that a decision from the president could be made by Christmas, although the exact scope of the commutations remains uncertain. Biden’s opposition to capital punishment was evident throughout his 2020 campaign, with his website stating his intention to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level and encourage states to follow suit. Initially, Biden considered issuing an executive order in January 2021, but ultimately no action was taken. Instead, six months into his administration, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment, allowing for further study of the issue and resulting in no federal executions under Biden thus far.
