As the political battle heats up ahead of November, President Joe Biden's unfulfilled pledge to abolish the federal death penalty becomes a significant flashpoint.

Amid this development, former President Donald Trump's promise to expand capital punishment to drug dealers starkly contrasts Biden's stance, thrusting the issue into the forefront of political discourse.

During his 2020 presidential run, Biden made a bold promise to abolish the federal death penalty. This commitment made him the first president to openly oppose capital punishment, a stance highlighted on his campaign website.

However, three years into his administration, despite considerations to abolish it through an executive order or legislation, no concrete steps have been taken.

The Pause on Executions: A Temporary Reprieve

Six months after Biden took office, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a significant yet temporary measure: a moratorium on federal capital punishment. This pause allowed the administration to breathe and signal a potential shift in federal policy, albeit not the permanent abolition many had hoped for.

Garland's decision effectively put federal executions on hold, a contrast to the rapid pace of executions in the final months of Trump's presidency.

Meanwhile, Trump's outspoken support for extending the death penalty to drug dealers, especially in the context of the opioid crisis and the proliferation of fentanyl, has reintroduced capital punishment into the national conversation.

He positions the issue as a cornerstone of a broader national crackdown on crime, appealing to a significant portion of the electorate desiring strict law enforcement measures.

A Shift in Public Opinion

Public support for the death penalty has seen a notable decline, from a peak of 80% approval in 1994 to 53% in the last year. This shift reflects a growing awareness of the death penalty's uneven application and concerns regarding the justice system's fairness.

Despite this, the specter of federal executions looms large, with the Justice Department pushing for death sentences in significant cases like the Pittsburgh and Buffalo mass shootings.

Robyn Patterson, a White House assistant press secretary, emphasized Biden's long-standing concerns regarding the death penalty's application.

"The President has long talked about his concerns about how the death penalty is applied and whether it is consistent with the values fundamental to our sense of justice and fairness," Patterson stated. This sentiment underscores the complexity of addressing systemic issues within the legal framework governing capital punishment.

The Political Landscape and the Death Penalty

The removal of language from Biden's website this year concerning the abolition of the death penalty has raised eyebrows and questions about the administration's commitment to this cause.

Political analysts speculate on whether Biden will act on this critical issue before the November election, with the potential for it to become a significant point of contention between him and Trump.

As the nation grapples with these challenging questions, voices from organizations like the Death Penalty Information Center emerge, offering a perspective on the broader implications.

"It’s always been used as a political talking point. It has for centuries, and it probably always will be," said Robin Maher, the executive director. This comment highlights capital punishment's enduring and complex nature in America's political and social landscape.

The Path Forward: A Matter of Conscience and Policy

With the November election on the horizon, the issue of the federal death penalty remains a contentious topic. While Biden's administration has made temporary strides through the moratorium, the future of federal capital punishment and its place in American jurisprudence remains uncertain.

Trump's call for its expansion adds another layer to the debate, reflecting a stark divergence in policy and philosophy.

In conclusion, President Biden's 2020 promise to abolish the federal death penalty has yet to be fulfilled, leaving a notable gap in his administration's policy achievements. Despite the attorney general's moratorium on federal executions and declining public support for capital punishment, the Justice Department's pursuit of the death penalty in significant cases and Trump's advocacy for its extension have kept the issue at the forefront of national discourse.

As the November election approaches, the question of whether Biden will act on this long-standing pledge remains a pivotal concern for voters and advocates alike.