In a controversial move, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without parole on December 14, 2024. This decision has sparked significant backlash, particularly from President-elect Donald Trump, who announced on December 24, 2024, his intention to 'vigorously pursue' capital punishment in response to Biden's actions. Trump criticized the commutation, arguing that it insulted victims' families and was senseless [c6240100].
Biden's commutation aligns with his administration's moratorium on federal executions, which remains in effect except for cases involving terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. The three inmates who remain on death row include Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Robert Bowers, all of whom have been convicted of heinous crimes [c6240100].
Trump plans to direct the Justice Department to seek the death penalty for violent offenders upon his inauguration, emphasizing cases like those of Jorge Avila Torrez and Thomas Steven Sanders, both convicted of particularly brutal crimes. However, experts suggest that Trump's statements may be more rhetorical than actionable, as most death penalty cases are typically handled at the state level [c6240100].
This decision follows Biden's earlier pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, on December 11, 2024, which has drawn significant criticism for perceived favoritism. The pardon covers all potential federal crimes Hunter may have committed over the past 11 years, raising concerns about the implications of such clemency decisions on the integrity of the justice system [e8930cd1].
In a related development, Biden is reportedly considering commuting the sentences of most, if not all, of the 40 men on federal death row, with a decision potentially coming by Christmas 2024. Attorney General Merrick Garland has recommended commuting all but a few egregious sentences, with potential exceptions including Tsarnaev, Bowers, and Roof [1afdc7eb][1e922ce0].
The kids-for-cash scandal, which involved former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan, has also resurfaced in discussions surrounding Biden's commutation decisions. Conahan was involved in a scheme that funneled thousands of children into private detention centers for kickbacks and was recently commuted by Biden, a move that has drawn outrage from victims and their families [286c9fea].
Public support for the death penalty has declined, with about 50% approval reported in October 2024, down from 70% in 2007. This shift in public opinion may influence the political landscape as both Biden and Trump navigate their respective positions on capital punishment [c6240100].
As the fallout from these pardons and commutations unfolds, it remains to be seen how they will impact Biden's legacy and his standing within the Democratic Party, especially as House Republicans ramp up their investigations into the Biden family [4cf31df0]. Public trust in the administration continues to wane, with only 20% of Americans believing the government acts in their best interest, according to a recent Pew Research survey [b5cb5237].