The president commuted 37 federal death sentences to death without parole. It is considered a historic move.
This morning, the White House announced that President Joe Biden commuted the federal death sentences of 37 people to life without parole. The historic move comes shortly after pardons and compensation were granted to hundreds of prisoners convicted of nonviolent crimes. Including forgiving his own son. In his official statement Biden emphasized that “I condemn these murderers. I feel sorry for the victims of their despicable actions. And it hurts all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss.” But he said his conscience and experience made him “We are more confident than ever that we must end the use of the death penalty at the federal level.”
The political wisdom of Biden’s lame duck pardon and the anniversary of its redemption remain unclear. It seems to me that Republicans are using details about the crimes of death row inmates to attack Biden and Democrats for their vague approval of torture and murder. Biden himself appeared to be preparing for that event in his statement, and lawsuit has begun Although life without parole is still a harsh punishment: fair enough; The crimes of these prisoners were committed against evil individuals. And it leaves many families with a hole in their lives. However, the moral wisdom of Biden’s decision is interesting to me. Biden’s legacy may be tied to accusations of corruption and covering up a marked decline in health. But he secured his place in history as a president of some mercy. All of which speaks of the restraint that a sovereign owes his people.
Biden’s decision was a direct response to Donald Trump’s 2020 federal execution plans by then-Attorney General Bill Barr. direct The Federal Bureau of Prisons will resume executions after a 17-year hiatus, then overseeing the deaths of 13 inmates in six months, with activists and advocates recently focused on convincing the president to prevent executions. Again, at Trump’s behest. In an emailed note, Ruth Friedman, director of the Capital Federal Habeas Program, explained that “many groups and individuals representing a variety of viewpoints have called on the president to take this important step,” adding that “There is also an official deferment. The application process is through the Prosecutor’s Office for a pardon in many cases. And that process includes communication between DOJ and all stakeholders on all sides of the case.” Among those calling on Biden to commute these sentences are the American Civil Liberties Union, Equal Justice America, Project Holiness, Catholic Mobilization Network and Pope Francis
Not everyone on federal death row will receive replacement money. Who wasn’t: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombers; Robert Bowers, the 2018 Tree of Life church shooter; and Dylann Roof, the gunman responsible for the Charleston church massacre. South Carolina in 2015, which left nine people dead, each involving terrorist violence and targeted killing. Although Attorney General Merrick Garland has enforced moratorium Regarding federal executions in 2021, attorneys representing the Justice Department continue to defend these death sentences in court. In that sense, it’s not surprising that Biden would leave them off his shuffle list. Still, the case of They may be tied to the court for the duration of Trump’s tenure. This means he likely won’t be able to carry out any of those three executions in the next few years.
Replacement would effectively end the federal death penalty for a generation. “If you cannot legally end the death penalty, This is how you end it in practice,” Robert Dunnam, director of the Death Penalty Policy Project, told me. “Death penalty abolitionists must hope that when the time comes for the next batch of cases to take the death penalty and go through the appeals process, There will be a new parliament and a different Supreme Court. which will seriously consider the constitution and deserves the death penalty.” Dunham added that Biden’s moral leadership could allow the nation’s governors to weigh their own changes, such as Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Governor Gavin Newsom of California.
The decision sparked relief and gratitude. It’s not just for men on federal death row. But it also included members of the public who urged Biden to go: Donnie Oliviero, a police officer from Columbus, Ohio, whose partner was killed by Daryl Lawrence, one of the men Biden demoted. punishment said in a statement after the fact that A “execute the man who killed my cop” partner and close friend would not bring me peace. The president has done the right thing here. and one that is consistent with the faith that he and I share. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.” Gary More, former director of the Ohio Department of Corrections added that he “I am extremely grateful to President Biden for taking this step to ensure that no federal correctional officer will face danger from participating in an execution in the near future.” Just like everyone else Many both in the row and outside the row Biden has brought a fraction of peace to the world. A level of gentle kindness and welcome hallelujah
