Biden's move thwarted Trump's intentions because, contrary to executive orders, the current president's successor cannot reverse the decision to grant a pardonalthough the death penalty may be pursued more rigorously in future cases.
Trump, an outspoken supporter of the death penalty and its strict enforcement, resumed federal executions after a nearly 20-year hiatus during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021.
Joe Biden torpedoes Donald Trump's plans. He commuted the sentences of 37 prisoners
Joe Biden He clearly opposed the death penalty even during his 2021 presidential campaign, which is why he halted federal executions after taking office.
Reuters notes that the last few weeks have been marked by pressure pressure from congressional Democrats, death penalty opponents and religious leaders, including Pope Francis, who have pressed him to commute federal death sentences before he leaves office.
“Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, I mourn the victims of their despicable actions, and I sympathize with all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden said in a statement.
The American leader said that, guided by “conscience and experience”, he is more convinced than ever that the use of the death penalty at the federal level must end.
“With a clear conscience I can't stand by and letfor the new administration to resume the executions I suspended,” he added.
The US president wants to arrive before Trump's inauguration. He pardoned his son
In early December, Biden he commuted the sentences of almost 1,500 people and pardoned 39 more convicted of non-violent crimes. He also granted a full and unconditional pardon to his son Hunter, although he had previously vowed not to do so.
Hunter Biden He pleaded guilty to tax crimes and was convicted on firearms charges.
The decision issued today does not apply to cases of terrorism and mass murders motivated by hate. It therefore omits three of the most famous men sentenced to death in federal cells: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev convicted of participating in the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013, Dylanna Roofa convicted in the 2015 Charleston shooting and Robert Bowers convicted of the 2018 mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.
All three men have filed appeals and legal challenges to their sentences, which must be resolved before an execution date can be set, a process that could take years.
Biden considering “preventive” pardons? The White House spokeswoman does not deny this
Joe Biden's decision was praised by organizations promoting respect for human rights.
“The president's decision is here a significant step towards his 2020 promisethat it will end the death penalty at the federal level and encourage states to follow suit,” wrote Paul O'Brien, executive director of Amnesty International USA.
The US president's move also has no impact on the nearly 2,200 death row inmates sentenced in state courts because he has no authority over such executions.
On the other hand, Republican lawmakers have vocally criticized Biden, one of them, Sen Tom Cottonstated that “Biden and the Democrats, given the choice between law-abiding Americans and criminals, they always choose criminals“.
The Office of the Pardon Attorney, part of the Justice Department, has received nearly 12,000 clemency requests during Biden's term, according to data. By December 9, the president had implemented 161 of them. He granted 26 pardons and 135 commutations.
The media also reported – and presidential spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre did not deny – that Biden is considering “preventive” pardons for people at risk of the president-elect's revenge and prosecution by the new administration. This includes: about former top military official Gen. Mark Milley, whom Trump accused of treason, and former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, as well as investigators and others involved in lawsuits and investigations against Trump.
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