On Christmas Day, Donald Trump condemned President Biden’s commutation of 37 death row inmates’ sentences to life imprisonment without parole, calling them “the 37 most violent criminals” and wishing them “GO TO HELL!” Biden’s action, following pressure from advocates, halted federal executions, reversing Trump’s policy of resuming executions after a 17-year hiatus. Trump’s reaction followed his earlier Christmas greetings to political opponents and a series of provocative messages directed at China, Canada, and Greenland. The majority of those whose sentences were commuted are people of color.
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President-elect Trump strongly condemned President Biden’s commutation of sentences for 37 of 40 federal death row inmates, vowing to vigorously pursue capital punishment upon his inauguration. Trump criticized the commutations as senseless and disrespectful to victims’ families, intending to focus on cases involving violent criminals. While the extent of his actions remains unclear, his statement suggests a more assertive approach to federal death penalty cases than previous administrations. Experts note that enacting significant changes to death penalty policy faces substantial legal and practical challenges.
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President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row, changing their punishments to life imprisonment without parole. This action, undertaken weeks before the incoming Trump administration, leaves only three inmates—Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Robert Bowers—facing execution. The decision aligns with Biden’s previously announced moratorium on federal executions and reflects his longstanding opposition to capital punishment. Biden cited his conscience and experience in justifying the move, contrasting his approach with Trump’s stated intention to expand the use of the death penalty.
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President Biden is considering commuting the sentences of all 40 federal death row inmates, a move spurred by advocacy from religious and civil rights organizations. This action, potentially finalized before Christmas, faces strong Republican opposition, with concerns raised about prioritizing progressive politics over victims’ families. Attorney General Garland suggested exceptions for terrorism and hate crimes, potentially impacting high-profile cases like the Boston Marathon bombing. The commutations would directly counter the incoming Trump administration’s plans to resume federal executions.
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President Biden’s commutation of Judge Michael Conahan’s sentence in the “Kids for Cash” scandal has sparked outrage among victims. Conahan and Judge Mark Ciavarella were convicted of accepting kickbacks to send juveniles to private detention centers. While the White House cited successful reintegration for the commutation, victim Amanda Lorah argues this ignores the lasting harm suffered by those wrongly imprisoned. Lorah highlights the perceived injustice of Conahan’s reduced sentence compared to the lack of justice she and others received.
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John Q. Hosedrinker