As President Joe Biden’s term comes to a close, many are wondering whether he will fulfill his promise to commute all federal death sentences before leaving office in January. This is a question that has been weighing heavily on the minds of Americans, especially those who oppose the death penalty and have been eagerly awaiting this moment.
During his campaign, President Biden vowed to end the death penalty and instead, institute life without parole as the highest punishment for federal crimes. He cited concerns about the flaws and inequities in the criminal justice system, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities, as a primary reason for this stance. This promise resonated with many Americans who have long been calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
However, with less than a month left in office, there has been no indication that President Biden will fulfill this promise. This has caused some to speculate and worry that he may be breaking yet another campaign pledge.
But before we jump to conclusions, let us examine the facts and the current situation at hand. Firstly, it is important to note that the number of federal death sentences is a small fraction of the total death sentences in the country. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, only 5 federal inmates were executed in 2020, compared to a total of 17 executions nationwide. Additionally, there are currently only 49 federal inmates on death row, a significantly lower number compared to state death row populations.
Furthermore, the federal death penalty has been on hold since July 2020, when the Trump administration resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus. This was met with widespread criticism and legal challenges, resulting in a number of executions being stayed. President Biden’s Department of Justice has also recently introduced a moratorium on federal executions, putting an additional halt to any executions taking place.
So, while President Biden may not have commuted all federal death sentences as promised, he has taken steps to prevent any more executions from taking place. This is a positive development for those who oppose the death penalty and believe in the sanctity of human life.
Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that President Biden has only been in office for just over 10 months. He inherited a multitude of pressing issues and has been working tirelessly to address them, from the ongoing pandemic to rebuilding the economy and tackling issues of racial injustice and climate change. It is understandable that some of his campaign promises may take longer to fulfill, and it is unfair to label him as a failure for not doing so in such a short time.
In fact, it is worth noting that President Biden has taken significant steps towards criminal justice reform in his short time in office. He has signed executive orders to tackle systemic racism in the justice system, and his administration has announced plans to reintroduce the use of consent decrees to hold police departments accountable for misconduct. These actions demonstrate a commitment to transforming the criminal justice system in a meaningful way.
Furthermore, President Biden has also established a commission to study potential reforms to the Supreme Court, including the possibility of adding more seats to the bench. This could have significant implications for death penalty cases in the future.
So, while there may be disappointment and frustration that President Biden has not yet fulfilled his promise to commute all federal death sentences, it is important to recognize the progress he has made and the steps he has taken towards criminal justice reform. Many Americans are hopeful that he will continue to work towards abolishing the death penalty and bringing about much-needed change to the justice system in the remaining years of his term.
In conclusion, it is too soon to say whether President Biden will fulfill his promise to commute all federal death sentences before leaving office in January. However, it is clear that he has taken significant steps towards addressing issues of racial injustice and reforming the criminal justice system. As we look towards the future, let us continue to hold our leaders accountable and advocate for the preservation of human life above all else.
