President Biden commutes 37 federal death sentences, ending executions for most inmates

This decision comes just weeks before Biden’s term ends and follows his strong stance against the death penalty during his presidency.

Biden’s move has been applauded by death penalty opponents, who have long called for an end to federal executions. 

The decision is also in line with a moratorium he imposed on federal executions after taking office. Under Biden's administration, no federal executions have taken place, except for cases involving terrorism or hate-driven mass murder.

In a statement, Biden explained that his decision was consistent with the goal of his administration: to halt federal executions, except in extreme cases.

 "I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level," Biden said.

The 37 inmates whose death sentences were commuted include individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as the murder of fellow prisoners and even a prison guard. However, Biden also emphasized that while these individuals committed heinous acts, they would now spend the rest of their lives in prison without the chance of parole.

The decision does not apply to all death row inmates. Three men, whose crimes are seen as particularly horrific, will remain on death row. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people and injured hundreds more, is one of the three. 

Another is Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who murdered nine Black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. Robert Bowers, who killed 11 Jewish worshippers in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018, will also remain on death row.

Biden made it clear that while he condemns the actions of these criminals, he believes that the death penalty should be abolished at the federal level. "Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss," he said. 

However, guided by his conscience, he believes that ending the death penalty is the right choice for the country.

The death penalty remains a deeply divisive issue in the United States, with many states abolishing it over the years. As of now, 23 states have abolished the death penalty, and six states, including California and Pennsylvania, have placed moratoriums on its use. However, some states, like Texas and Florida, still carry out executions regularly.

While Biden's decision only impacts those convicted under federal law, the moratorium on federal executions has marked a significant shift in US policy. Biden’s stance contrasts with his predecessor, Donald Trump, who oversaw 13 federal executions in the final months of his presidency, more than any president in over a century. Trump had also indicated that he would expand the use of the death penalty to include migrants who kill American citizens and drug traffickers.

Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal inmates also includes the case of disgraced former police officer Len Davis, who was convicted of arranging a murder while running a drug ring with other officers in New Orleans.

This action comes ahead of Biden's departure from office, just as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take over in January. Trump, who has supported the death penalty, is likely to reverse Biden’s moratorium on executions.

The US death penalty has long been a contentious issue. While the federal government has moved to limit its use, the states have continued to carry out executions. In 2024, 25 executions have been carried out at the state level, with many more people still sentenced to death by state courts. 

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, more than 2,000 individuals remain on death row in state prisons across the US.

As Biden's presidency comes to an end, his commutation decision is seen as a strong statement against the death penalty. His actions reflect his belief that the federal government should not carry out executions and that life in prison without parole is a more humane alternative.

In addition to commuting death sentences, Biden has also granted pardons and commutations to thousands of people convicted of nonviolent crimes. Earlier this month, he commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 more.

Even with these changes at the federal level, the debate over the death penalty continues in the US, with some states pushing forward with executions, while others, like California and Oregon, have placed moratoriums on its use.