WASHINGTON — On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden decisively commuted the federal death sentences of 37 inmates, signifying a profound shift in the administration’s stance on capital punishment, while deliberately excluding three notable cases from this act of clemency. The individuals whose sentences remain intact include the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh, and the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston.
During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden made clear his opposition to the federal death penalty and underscored this position by implementing a moratorium on federal executions in 2021. This policy, however, carves out exceptions for egregious instances of terrorism and hate-driven mass killings. “I condemn these murderers and mourn deeply for their victims’ families who have faced immense loss,” Biden stated, reaffirming his stand against capital punishment while underscoring the severity of selected crimes.
The commutations have transformed the death sentences into life imprisonments, preventing any future administrations from reinstating these executions. His decision not only reflects a moral stance rooted in his extensive career in public service, including roles as a public defender and Vice President, but also marks a significant pivot in federal criminal justice policy.
Reaction to Biden’s decision has been mixed. Some victims’ families and opponents, like Steven Cheung, communications director for president-elect Donald Trump, have criticized the move. Cheung described the commutations as a “slap in the face to the victims and their families.” Heather Turner, who lost her mother in a 2017 South Carolina bank robbery, voiced her frustration at the lack of consultation with the victims’ families.
Conversely, others see the commutations as a step in the right direction. Donnie Oliverio, a retired police officer who lost his partner in the line of duty, expressed his support, stating that the execution of the perpetrator would not have brought him peace and that his decision aligns with his faith.
Looking ahead, the shadow of potential federal executions looms with Trump’s ascent to office in January, as he has pledged to resume and expand capital punishment. Trump’s administration plans to extend death penalty provisions to include criminals such as child rapists and major drug traffickers, reflecting a stark contrast to Biden’s more restrained use of federal death sentences.
This ongoing debate is contextualized by the relative infrequency of federal executions historically. Prior to Trump’s first term, only three federal executions had occurred between 1988 and 2016. Trump’s administration marked a significant shift, with 13 federal inmates executed in just seven months.
In poignant reflection on these matters, citizens continue to memorialize the impact of these harrowing crimes on their communities and the nation. Amid this complex landscape, Biden’s targeted commutations and continued enforcement of capital punishment for particularly devastating crimes underscore the nuanced approach his administration is taking toward federal executions. As the nation grapples with the ethical implications of the death penalty, this issue promises to remain at the heart of heated political and moral debate.