President Joe Biden has made a significant decision relating to the U.S. federal death penalty, commuting the sentences of most inmates on death row.

In a bold move before his term concludes, President Biden shifted 37 federal death row sentences to life imprisonment, Reuters reported.

As his presidency nears its end, President Biden, who will leave office on January 20, has chosen to alter the fate of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates. These inmates will now face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole instead of execution.

This decision was based on a variety of pressures and a long-standing stance against capital punishment. It reflects Biden's administration's policy shift on federal executions.

The timing of this action is critical, as it precedes the Presidency of Donald Trump, who is known for his support of the federal death penalty and resumed federal executions during his first term after they had been paused for nearly two decades.

Commuting Sentences Amid Political Transition

In January 2021, shortly after taking office, President Biden paused federal executions. This move was part of a broader agenda to initiate criminal justice reform emphasizing rehabilitation over capital punishment.

The President faced significant lobbying from congressional Democrats, religious groups, and anti-death penalty organizations, pushing him to take a definitive stand against the death penalty.

These groups have long advocated for an end to capital punishment, arguing it is inhumane and inconsistently applied across racial and economic lines.

Focused Exclusions From Commutations

Notably, Biden's recent commutation orders specifically exclude certain types of convicts. High-profile cases involving terrorism or racially motivated mass murders were not affected by these changes.

Among those excluded are Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Dylann Roof, and Robert Bowers – all of whom have pending legal appeals. This selective commutation acknowledges the complex nature of these cases and the severity of their crimes.

The commutation applies only to federal inmates, as the presidential power does not extend to state-run executions, which are governed by individual state laws.

A Broader Pattern of Presidential Clemency

Earlier in December, President Biden also adjusted nearly 1,500 sentences for nonviolent crimes and granted pardons to 39 individuals. This pattern of clemency is part of a broader effort to reform aspects of the U.S. justice system during his administration.

In an unprecedented move, Biden also issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax violations and firearms-related charges. The Office of the Pardon Attorney has been especially active during Biden's term, receiving nearly 12,000 requests for clemency, with a total of 161 granted, including 26 pardons and 135 commutations.

Reactions to the Commutations

Criticism of Biden's decision has been vocal among Republican lawmakers, who argue that the president's use of the pardon power could undermine justice for victims' families.

Senator Tom Cotton expressed disapproval on public platforms, suggesting that the Democratic administration consistently favors criminals over law-abiding citizens. Similar sentiments were echoed by Rep. Chip Roy, who criticized the decision on social media.

Conversely, human rights organizations and anti-death penalty advocates have lauded Biden's actions. Paul O'Brien, the Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, praised the decision as a significant step towards ending the federal death penalty, aligning closely with Biden's 2020 campaign promises.

President Biden's Justification for His Decision

President Biden reaffirmed his opposition to the death penalty, condemning the crimes while expressing compassion for the victims and their families.

He emphasized his moral conviction to end federal executions, stating he cannot allow a future administration to resume them. This historic commutation underscores his commitment to abolishing capital punishment at the federal level as his presidency nears its end.