Civil rights groups, activists, and advocates are intensifying their calls for President Joe Biden to commute all 40 current federal death sentences before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office. This comes amidst concerns over Trump’s potential reversal of the moratorium on federal executions established by Biden’s Department of Justice in 2021.
Context and Urgency
The push for sweeping commutations gained momentum after Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, raising expectations for broader clemency actions. Advocates argue that such commutations are crucial to prevent what they see as the inevitable resumption of federal executions under Trump, who oversaw an unprecedented number of federal executions during his first term.
The calls come from a wide coalition of voices:
- Civil Rights Groups: A letter signed by over 130 organizations stressed that Biden’s actions could cement a legacy of redemption and justice.
- Faith Leaders: The Faith Leaders of Color Coalition (flocc) urged Biden to act as a reflection of his strong ties to Black faith communities.
- Democratic Lawmakers: Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush have been outspoken in urging Biden to act immediately, emphasizing the moral and racial implications of federal executions.
Racial Disparities
Statistics from the Death Penalty Information Center underscore the racial inequities inherent in the federal death penalty system:
- Black individuals comprise 38% of those on federal death row, more than triple their proportion of the U.S. population.
- During Trump’s first term, more than half of the executed individuals were people of color.
Faith leaders and human rights advocates have particularly highlighted how these disparities magnify systemic racism, with the death penalty disproportionately affecting Black and Native American communities.
Biden’s Legacy
President Biden has already commuted 129 sentences and issued thousands of pardons, including for marijuana convictions. However, activists argue that commuting the sentences of those on federal death row could be a defining act of his presidency. A letter from Rev. Sharon Risher, whose mother was a victim of a racist mass shooting, called on Biden to “lead with mercy and grace.”
Advocates’ Perspectives
- Joia Thornton (flocc): “Commuting the federal death row would be an incredible milestone for those who believe life has value, mercy is encompassing, and grace covers a multitude of sins.”
- Ayanna Pressley: “Mr. President, you and you alone have the power to save lives. You must use it.”
- Cori Bush: “The only time better than yesterday is today.”
The Path Forward
While the White House press secretary confirmed that Biden is considering further pardons and commutations, it remains unclear whether this will include action on federal death sentences. Advocates warn that inaction could result in a return to aggressive federal executions, making Biden’s decision a potential turning point in the debate over capital punishment in America.
Additional Concerns
Recent studies have highlighted the vulnerability of Black death row prisoners to botched executions, adding further weight to the argument against the death penalty.
Biden’s choice on this issue could shape not only his legacy but also the broader discourse on criminal justice and racial equity in the U.S.
