Biden Urged to Use Executive Power Save Death Row Inmates

President Biden faces mounting pressure to use his executive powers for clemency of federal death row inmates, sparking debates on capital punishment and criminal justice reform.

At a Glance

38 prosecutors and justice leaders urge Biden to commute all federal death sentences.
134 organizations call for clemency for 40 individuals on federal death row.
Advocates warn another administration could reinstate federal executions.
Racial disparities and potential innocence cited as key concerns.
Biden’s campaign stance against capital punishment highlighted.

Prosecutors and Justice Leaders Push for Clemency

A coalition of 38 prosecutors and justice leaders, including District Attorneys, Attorneys General, and former judges, has submitted a letter to President Biden urging him to commute all federal death sentences to life imprisonment. The group argues that the death penalty is fundamentally flawed, biased, and ineffective in enhancing public safety.

“The death penalty is riddled with error, bias, and injustice. It targets the poorest and most vulnerable among us while failing to provide any meaningful public safety benefits,” said Amy Fettig.

The letter emphasizes the racially biased application of capital punishment and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. This push for clemency comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, during which 13 individuals were executed in just six months.

Broader Coalition Joins the Call

Beyond the initial group of prosecutors, a larger coalition of 134 organizations has also urged President Biden to commute the sentences of all individuals on federal death row. This expanded effort commends the Biden administration for imposing a moratorium on federal executions but calls for more decisive action.

Currently, there are 40 people on federal death row, with over half being non-white, underscoring the perceived racial disparities in the system. The coalition’s letter cites historical and ongoing racial biases in the death penalty system, noting that studies show discrimination at every stage of the criminal justice process.

Concerns Over Innocence and International Standards

A crucial point raised by advocates is the risk of executing innocent individuals. Since 1973, at least 200 people have been exonerated from death rows across the United States, highlighting the potential for irreversible miscarriages of justice.

“As a former public defender with experience representing individuals facing the death penalty, I have seen firsthand the profound injustices of our capital punishment system. The death penalty is riddled with racial bias, targets the most marginalized members of our society, and fails to uphold the principles of fairness and justice. President Biden has a unique opportunity to show moral leadership by commuting the sentences of those on federal death row, an act that would reaffirm our nation’s commitment to dignity and equal justice under the law,” stated Commonwealth’s Attorney James Hingeley.

The coalition also emphasizes the moral imperative for the United States to align with the majority of countries that have abolished capital punishment, citing international human rights standards.

Political Context and Timing

The push for clemency is not occurring in a political vacuum. Biden campaigned against capital punishment, contrasting sharply with former President Trump’s support for the death penalty. As Biden’s term nears its end, there is growing pressure for him to act on this campaign promise.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has indicated that Biden is expected to make more clemency announcements “at the end of his term,” stating, “He’s thinking through that process very thoroughly.”

This timing is crucial, as it is common for presidents to issue pardons towards the end of their terms. However, the urgency is heightened by concerns that a future administration could reinstate federal executions, making Biden’s potential action on this matter all the more significant.

As the debate continues, the eyes of justice reform advocates, human rights organizations, and the families of those on death row remain fixed on the White House, awaiting a decision that could mark a turning point in the nation’s approach to capital punishment.