President Trump is set to take office soon, and with his steadfast dedication to justice, his term is likely to mark a significant departure from the current administration’s approach to capital punishment. This shift comes as Joe Biden recently announced that he will commute the sentences of 37 out of 40 people on federal death row to lifelong imprisonment. These individuals have been convicted of serious crimes including homicide, assaults on police and military officers, federal land crimes, involvement in deadly bank heists or narcotics transactions, as well as murders committed within federal facilities.
This move, however, does not offer clemency to three inmates: Dylann Roof, who is guilty of the racially-motivated murder of nine African Americans in Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church in 2015; Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the man behind the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing; and Robert Bowers, the perpetrator of the deadliest anti-Semitic assault in the history of the U.S, which resulted in the deaths of 11 attendees at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, 2018.
Advocating a stable and effective legal system, Biden expressed that this decision aligns with the suspension his administration has placed on federal executions. He clarified that exceptions apply in cases involving acts of terrorism and hate-propelled mass murders. Biden’s determination to reduce violent crime pervades his statement, leaving some to wonder how this may be reconciled with his commutation policy.
Opinions on this decision are polarized. A spokesperson for Trump termed Biden’s move as ‘abhorrent,’ rightfully voicing concern for the victims of these horrendous crimes and their loved ones. According to them, President Trump champions the strict enforcement of law and order, an essence that will be reinstated upon his assumption of power, bolstered by a substantial mandate from the American populace.
Heather Turner, whose mother was tragically murdered during a 2017 Conway bank robbery, sharply criticized Biden’s decision. She expressed her belief that the President-elect did not sufficiently consider the victims of these heinous acts of violence. Revealing her deep-rooted anguish over the past seven years, she commented on her perception of the brokenness of the judicial system, implying that it failed to dispense justice for her and others similarly affected.
Interestingly, some relatives of the victims of these crimes seem to be in line with Biden’s decision to leave certain culprits on death row. One such individual is Michael Graham, whose sister was among the victims of Dylann Roof’s attack. According to him, Roof’s unapologetic attitude and the prevailing white nationalism in the US exemplify the very type of malevolence the death penalty was designed to counteract.
In 2021, the Biden administration announced a halt on federal capital punishment to reevaluate the involved protocols. This decision put a temporary stop to federal executions during his term. Despite his past commitments to eradicate federal executions, some exceptions remained for terrorism and hate-driven mass murders, aspects which Biden touched upon while announcing his policy.
During his campaign, Biden promised to eliminate federal death penalties and encourage states to follow suit. He expressed his refusal to stand idle while the prospect of resumed executions loomed. Yet, many are now contemplating the potential difference we might see under the upcoming Trump administration.
Trump, set to assume office on January 20, has often voiced his intention to increase executions. During his first term as President, he proposed for drug dealers to also be eligible for capital punishment. It’s worthy to note that during his tenure, the U.S. witnessed 13 federal executions, a record unparalleled by any president in recent history.
The last three executions took place after election day in 2020 and before Trump’s exit from office in January. The resounding voice of advocacy groups had recently urged Biden to make it more challenging for Trump to elevate the utilization of the death penalty for federal prisoners.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, long-time crusaders against the death penalty, regarded Biden’s decision as an important step towards uplifting human dignity. They believe this move brings the nation closer to building a culture centered around life.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Martin Luther King III, who had publicly requested Biden to alter death penalties. He lauded Biden for decisively addressing not only the inherent racism of the death penalty but also its continuing nonuniform application.
Madeline Cohen, legal representative of Norris Holder, who was sentenced to death for killing a guard during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, cited his case as an example of racial bias and capriciousness. She attributes its resolution to the President’s decision to commute death row sentences.
Undeniably, the issue of capital punishment remains contentious. Some argue its effectiveness in providing justice and deterring future crimes, while others question the morality and fairness of the punishment itself. President Trump, with his unwavering commitment to upholding justice, is likely to reignite this debate upon his return to office.
As the nation prepares for another change in leadership, the citizens stand divided on capital punishment, its implications, and its future. What is clear, however, is a broader consensus on the critical importance of justice, safety, and dignity for all, which the incoming Trump administration is anticipated to champion.
While uncertainty remains about the future course of capital punishment in the United States, the commitment of the incoming President Trump to the rule of law and strong leadership promises an interesting period ahead. His dedication to justice may well set a new standard in how we approach this critical and sensitive area of our legal system.