Trump Vows to Reinstate Death Penalty, Criticizes Biden’s Death Row Commutations
TL/DR –
President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his pledge to pursue the death penalty, criticizing President Joe Biden’s decision to commute nearly all federal death row sentences. Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal inmates on death row to life sentences without parole, and he declined the commutation of sentences of three federal death row inmates. Despite facing criticism not only from political adversaries but also from law enforcement groups and families of victims, Biden’s move has also been praised and seen as consistent with his administration’s moratorium on executions.
On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to “vigorously pursue” the death penalty, responding to President Joe Biden’s controversial commutation of sentences for almost all federal death row inmates.
Trump voiced his objections on his Truth Social platform, stating this decision left victims’ families “further devastated.” He promised to command Justice Department to actively pursue death penalty upon his inauguration to safeguard American families from violent criminals.
On Monday, Biden announced the commutation of sentences for 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, a move urged by advocacy groups, former prosecutors, and business leaders. He maintained this step aligns with his administration’s execution moratorium.
However, Biden refused commutation for Robert Bowers, Dylann Roof, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, perpetrators of mass killings. He added, despite sparing 37 inmates, he condemns these murderers and sympathizes with their victims’ families.
Trump, who effectively used federal death penalty during his first term, plans to broaden its scope to include child rapists, felons who kill citizens or law enforcement officers, and those convicted of drug and human trafficking. His intentions face significant legal and constitutional hurdles.
Biden’s commutations spurred criticism from law enforcement groups, victims’ families, and political adversaries alike. Tim Timmerman, father of a murder victim, referred to the timing as “despicable.” Voices of discontent also arose from the families of Donna Major and Rachel Timmerman, whose killers’ sentences were commuted.
While Biden’s decision is praised by anti-death penalty advocates, some argue he did not go far enough, pointing out racial disparities in death penalty sentences and executions. They call for the commutation of all federal death row inmates, including the four on U.S. military death row.
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