As President Biden approaches the end of his term, human rights activists, former corrections officials, and families of crime victims are calling on him to fulfill a campaign promise: to oppose capital punishment. In a series of open letters, they urge Biden to use his clemency powers to commute the sentences of all 40 federal death row inmates before President-elect Donald J. Trump, a vocal proponent of the death penalty, takes office. This plea underscores Biden’s unique position to make a lasting impact on the federal justice system and aligns with growing calls for systemic reform.
“As your time in office comes to a close, there is an unprecedented need for you to cement your commitment to remedying injustices by exercising executive clemency and commuting the death sentences of those on federal death row,” one letter stated. While Biden issued a moratorium on federal executions early in his presidency, his Justice Department has continued to prosecute capital cases, drawing criticism from advocates. Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, one of Biden’s allies, emphasized the importance of clemency, highlighting racial disparities in sentencing and the evolving societal view on punishment. “I’m asking Joe Biden to show some compassion,” Clyburn said.
Despite issuing fewer clemency grants than his predecessors, Biden has taken notable steps, such as pardoning marijuana convictions and military veterans convicted under now-obsolete laws. Yet activists argue that more sweeping actions, like commutations for death row inmates and relief for those serving disproportionately harsh drug sentences, are essential. With Trump signaling plans to reinstate federal executions, Biden’s decision could define his legacy on criminal justice reform.
Source: The New York Times
