Congressional Democrats, including Reps. Ayana Pressley and Cori Bush, called on President Joe Biden to commute the sentences of federal death row inmates using his executive powers. They reiterated calls for clemency and the reintroduction of legislation to ban the death penalty at the federal level. There are currently 40 men on federal death row who could have their sentences commuted to life in prison by Biden. Advocates are concerned that the incoming Trump administration may restart federal executions. Pressley emphasized the need to save lives and eliminate a punishment that disproportionately affects Black, brown, and low-income families.
Activists believe that utilizing clemency powers could define Biden’s legacy and demonstrate his willingness to protect certain individuals. They are urging him to take action before Trump returns to power in 2024. The push for death row commutations also comes amid rumors of potential pardons by Biden to individuals targeted by Trump and his son Hunter.
The advocates at the press conference emphasized that commuting death sentences is a crucial opportunity for Biden to control his legacy and fulfill his responsibility as president. They called on him to use his unique opportunity to save lives and dismantle a flawed punishment system that has been biased against marginalized communities.
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