On Monday, Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men awaiting execution in federal prisons. He justified it by saying, “This is a step toward a more humane criminal justice system.”
The move would thwart President Donald Trump's plans to expand the number of executions after taking over. As Reuters explains, pardon decisions cannot be overturned by the president's successor.
united states of america. Donald Trump reacts to Joe Biden's decision. “As soon as I take the oath…”
However, new death sentences may be carried out more frequently due to the influence of the next president. Recall that President Trump resumed federal executions during his first term. It happened almost 20 years later.
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The president-elect announced these were his intentions in a post on social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday.
President Trump: “As soon as I take the oath of office, I will direct the Department of Justice to vigorously advance the death penalty to protect American families and children from brutal rapists, murderers, and monsters. It will become a country,” he emphasized.
united states of america. Joe Biden under pressure. “Please don't misunderstand.”
Media outlets recall that Joe Biden has been under pressure in recent weeks from congressional Democrats, death penalty opponents, and religious leaders such as Pope Francis to commute his federal death sentence before leaving the country.
However, his decision was not approved by everyone. – Don't get me wrong. I condemn these murderers, I mourn the victims of their dastardly acts and I mourn all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable losses, the politician stressed.
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– But guided by my conscience and my experience…I am more convinced than ever that we must end the use of the death penalty at the federal level. “I cannot in good conscience stand by and allow the new administration to resume the executions that I had stopped,” he added.
In early December, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 more people convicted of nonviolent crimes. He also granted a full and unconditional pardon to his son Hunter, although he had previously vowed not to do so.
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