As President Biden’s term wraps up, reports suggest he is considering commuting the sentences of most, if not all, of the 40 men on federal death row.
According to The Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the matter mentioned that this move would contradict President-elect Trump’s plan to expedite executions as he assumes office in January.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, who supervises federal prisons, recommended that Biden commute all but a few severe sentences, as per the sources.
The source also noted that exceptions might include individuals like Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Robert Bowers, and Dylann Roof, who were involved in high-profile crimes.
TRUMP EXPECTED TO END BIDEN-ERA DEATH PENALTY PAUSE, EXPAND TO MORE FEDERAL INMATES
President Biden speaks about his administration’s economic playbook and the future of the American economy at the Brookings Institution in Washington Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Individuals who may have their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment include various convicted criminals involved in heinous crimes.
TRUMP VOWS TO CREATE COMPENSATION FUND FOR VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIME
This decision follows Biden’s conversation with Pope Francis, where the Pope called for the commutation of America’s condemned inmates during his weekly prayer.
Sources suggest a decision from the President could come by Christmas, with the main uncertainty being the extent of commutation for death row inmates.
President Biden speaks at a podium (AP )
Biden is the first president to openly oppose capital punishment, with previous intentions to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level.
In early 2021, Biden contemplated an executive order but did not issue one, according to sources. Later, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a halt on federal capital punishment to conduct further analysis.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Under Biden’s administration, there have been no federal executions due to this moratorium on capital punishment.
