President Joe Biden made headlines on December 26, 2024, when he announced the commutation of death sentences for 37 out of the 40 individuals on federal death row. This significant decision converts their punishments to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, sparing their lives just weeks before Donald Trump, who has openly pledged to expand capital punishment, is set to take office.
Among those affected by this announcement are high-profile inmates such as Dylann Roof, responsible for the tragic 2015 murders of nine Black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina; Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the brothers behind the Boston Marathon bombing; and Robert Bowers, who perpetrated the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history by shooting 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Biden described the commutations as aligned with the moratorium on federal executions instituted by his administration, which has focused on fairness and justice reform. “I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden stated, emphasizing his moral conviction against the death penalty.
While some victims’ families expressed gratitude for Biden's decision, others were outraged. Michael Graham, brother of one of Roof’s victims, conveyed his desire for Roof's execution, reflecting the painful conflict between justice for victims and the perceived moral obligation to abolish the death penalty altogether. “This was a crime against a race of people who were doing something all Americans do on a Wednesday night – go to Bible study,” Graham lamented.
On the other hand, Reverend Sharon Risher, whose family suffered due to Roof's actions, criticized Biden for not commuting Roof’s sentence. “I need the president to understand when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims’ families in limbo,” she said.
Despite the backlash, advocacy groups welcomed Biden's actions. Civil rights organizations have long campaigned against the death penalty, citing its flaws and the racial biases often inherent within its application. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called Biden’s decision “a significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity.”
This cremation of death sentences follows Biden’s previous efforts to impose broader clemency, including the recent commutation of approximately 1,500 individuals who had been released under pandemic restrictions. The growing momentum against capital punishment finds reflection not only in activist circles but also resonates with shifting public opinion, with support for the death penalty falling to 53%, the lowest level recorded since the 1970s.
With Trump poised to take control, Biden's decision may be interpreted as preemptive. On the campaign trail, Trump called for the aggressive use of capital punishment, stating intentions to punish those involved with drug trafficking and other violent crimes through federal execution. “Joe Biden just commuted the death sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our country,” Trump stated on social media, framing Biden's actions as senseless and damaging to the families of victims.
Experts view Trump’s statement as primarily rhetorical at this stage, highlighting the challenges he may face implementing his death penalty agenda. Douglas Berman, sentencing expert at Ohio State University, noted, “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states.”
Yet, as tensions surrounding capital punishment intensify, Biden’s actions signal more than just policy shifts. They reveal entrenched societal divisions over the morality and effectiveness of the death penalty—debates not easily settled and sure to resurface as new administrations take the helm.
Reflecting on the ramifications of his decision, Biden stated, “Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers... but I am more convinced than ever we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” With the specter of Trump looming, the future of capital punishment in the U.S. remains fraught with uncertainty and ideological conflict.
One thing stands clear from Biden's actions: his administration is determined to make bold statements on criminal justice reform, setting the stage for continued debate about the ethics and application of capital punishment.
