23rd December 2024 – (Washington) President Joe Biden announced on Monday the commutation of death sentences for 37 out of 40 individuals on federal death row, converting their sentences to life without the possibility of parole. This decision spares these men from the controversial practice of capital punishment. However, three inmates—Robert Bowers, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Dylann Roof—who were convicted of terrorism or mass murder, will remain on death row.
These commutations mark a continuation of Biden’s stance against the death penalty, as he resumed a federal execution moratorium upon taking office, following a series of federal executions under the previous administration. While the commutations are significant, they do not fulfil Biden’s campaign promise to work with Congress to abolish the death penalty entirely, as legislative efforts in this area have stalled.
Biden has expressed a long-standing commitment to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair justice system. In his statement, he reiterated his condemnation of the crimes committed by those on death row and acknowledged the suffering of the victims’ families. He maintained that, guided by his conscience and extensive experience in public service, he believes the federal government should cease the use of the death penalty.
During his presidency, Biden made history by granting clemency to 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 nonviolent offenders. Despite these actions, the federal death penalty remains intact, leaving it open for potential expansion under a future Trump administration. Former President Donald Trump had previously lifted a moratorium on executions, resulting in 13 federal executions during his term, and indicated continued support for capital punishment.
As Biden prepares to leave office, the White House has confirmed that he will continue to review additional pardons and commutations. As of early 2024, there are over 2,200 individuals on death row across various states and at the federal level, with 25 executions reported this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Centre.
