Congressional Democrats are urging President Joe Biden to use his executive powers to commute the sentences of federal death row inmates. They believe that Biden has the power to save lives and should take action to ban the use of the death penalty at the federal level. There are currently 40 men on federal death row whose sentences could be commuted to life in prison.
The Democrats are reminding Biden of his campaign promise to end the federal death penalty and are concerned that the incoming Trump administration may restart federal executions. Advocates argue that the death penalty is cruel, racist, and disproportionately affects Black, brown, and low-income families.
Biden’s potential use of pardons and commutations is being closely watched as it could define his legacy. Activists are urging Biden to take action before leaving office to protect those who may be targeted by the incoming administration. They believe that commuting death sentences is an opportunity for Biden to assert control over his legacy and fulfill his responsibility to exercise clemency power.
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Reps. Pressley, Bush, and activists call on Biden to commute death sentences
