President Joe Biden is reportedly weighing the option of commuting the sentences of the 40 men currently on federal death row. According to sources familiar with the matter, Biden is considering commuting the sentences of most, if not all, of these inmates. This potential action comes amid growing discussions around the use of the death penalty in the United States and reflects a broader reevaluation of capital punishment.
Among the inmates on federal death row are high-profile criminals such as Dylan Roof, the Charleston church shooter, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber. These cases have sparked significant national attention, and Biden’s decision to commute their sentences could be a controversial move. If the sentences are commuted, these inmates would serve life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of facing execution.
Joe Biden
Although the White House has stated that no final decision has been made, some sources have indicated that Biden could announce his decision as early as Christmas. The key issue under consideration is whether to grant a blanket commutation to all individuals on death row or to retain the death sentences for those convicted of the most egregious crimes. This decision will involve careful consideration of the moral, legal, and public policy implications.
Pope Francis has also expressed his support for reducing the use of the death penalty, adding another layer of influence to Biden’s potential decision. In early December, the Pope called for prayers for those on death row in the U.S., hoping their sentences would be commuted. This aligns with his 2018 revision of the Catholic Church’s Catechism, which declared capital punishment “inadmissible” under any circumstances.
Biden’s consideration of commuting these death sentences is part of his broader stance on criminal justice reform, where he has consistently opposed the death penalty. A decision to commute these sentences could set a significant precedent for federal executions and contribute to the ongoing debate about the future of capital punishment in the United States.
