Biden commutes sentences death row inmates

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President Biden is granting clemency to 37 of the 40 federal inmates facing death sentences, commuting their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The three inmates who didn't receive clemency are the convicted murderer in the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, the gunman at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, and the surviving Boston Marathon bomber.

The announcement is sure to spark partisan debate, even though presidential commutation and pardon power are broad, constitutionally enshrined and irreversible.

The Justice Department instituted a moratorium on executions in 2021 so it could review policies and procedures.

Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement that those whose sentences were commuted "are among the worst killers in the world," adding, "this abhorrent decision by Joe Biden is a slap in the face to the victims, their families, and their loved ones." President-elect Trump has said he would resume executions and perhaps attempt to expand the crimes that qualify for capital punishment.

Mr. Biden appeared to allude to Trump's stated intention in a statement announcing the commutations when he said, "In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted."

He also said,"These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my Administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.

"Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss.

"But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level."