Questions arise about President Joe Biden's role in a major decision affecting federal death row inmates during the final weeks of his presidency.

According to PJ Media, the Biden administration announced early Monday morning of Christmas week the commutation of sentences for 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, citing moral imperatives while strategically excluding three high-profile cases.

The sweeping clemency decision comes amid growing concerns about Biden's mental capacity, particularly following a Wall Street Journal report detailing White House staff's efforts to manage the president's cognitive decline.

This development has sparked debate about who actually made this consequential decision affecting dozens of convicted murderers.

White House Strategic Exclusions Reveal Political Calculations

The administration deliberately excluded three notorious cases from the mass commutation.

Dzokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber, Dylann Roof, responsible for the Charleston church massacre, and Robert Bowers, perpetrator of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, remain on death row. These exclusions appear calculated to minimize potential political backlash against Democrats.

Political analysts note the careful wording of the announcement, which emphasized a moratorium on federal executions except in cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. This distinction allows the administration to maintain its anti-death penalty stance while avoiding controversy over particularly sensitive cases.

The timing of the announcement during Christmas week, when public attention typically wanes, suggests a strategic approach to managing potential public reaction to such a significant policy decision.

Notable Criminals Granted Clemency Under Presidential Order

Among those granted clemency is former New Orleans police officer Len Davis, who orchestrated a protection racket and arranged the murder of a woman who filed a brutality complaint. His case exemplifies the complex nature of the commuted sentences, involving both abuse of authority and premeditated murder.

Kaboni Savage, responsible for twelve deaths in drug-related violence, represents another significant case affected by the commutation. The list also includes individuals convicted of killing law enforcement officers, military personnel, and federal witnesses.

Brandon Leon Basham and Chadrick Fulks, who escaped prison and murdered a woman in South Carolina in 2004, are also among those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

Questions Mount Over Presidential Decision Making Process

The White House statement attributed to Biden stated:

These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my Administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.

Recent developments have intensified scrutiny of the decision-making process within the Biden administration. White House staffers have reportedly taken on increasingly significant roles in executive decisions, raising constitutional concerns about who truly exercises presidential powers.

The administration's handling of this matter reflects broader patterns of executive action during Biden's final month in office. Last week, over 1,500 pardons were issued, marking the highest number granted in a single day by any president.

This activity precedes Biden's planned taxpayer-funded visit to Italy in January, where he will meet with the Pope shortly before leaving office.

Final Actions Mark Biden Presidency End

The mass commutation of death row sentences represents one of the Biden administration's most significant actions as it approaches its conclusion.

These decisions will have lasting implications for the American justice system and future administrations' approach to capital punishment.

The concurrent timing of these commutations with revelations about White House staff management of presidential duties has intensified debate about executive authority and accountability. Questions persist about the extent of President Biden's personal involvement in these consequential decisions that will outlast his presidency.