President Biden commutes death sentences for 37 men

President Biden official portrait

Source: CMN, White House

President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 out of the 40 prisoners on the federal Death Row. These men will now stay in prison for life without parole.

A statement from the White House says: "President Biden has dedicated his career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system. He believes that America must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level, except in cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder - which is why today's actions apply to all but those cases. When President Biden came into office, his Administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions, and his actions today will prevent the next Administration from carrying out the execution sentences that would not be handed down under current policy and practice.

"This historic clemency action builds on the President's record of criminal justice reform. The President has issued more commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms. Earlier this month, the President announced clemency for approximately 1,500 Americans - the most ever in a single day - who have shown successful rehabilitation and a commitment to making communities safer. This included sentence commutations for nearly 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities, as well as 39 pardons for individuals who were convicted of non-violent crimes. President Biden is also the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation.

"The President's criminal justice record has transformed individual lives and positively impacted communities, especially historically marginalized communities. In the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations."

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network said: "Today's decision by President Biden advances the cause of human dignity and underscores the sacred value of every human life. Praise God!

"I am so grateful for the thousands of faithful advocates from CMN's network who added their voices to the resounding chorus urging President Biden to take this merciful action.

"It seems fitting to receive this good news just days before we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. My heart is drawn to these words we hear in Scripture: "The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2)."

"Indeed, President Biden's merciful action to save the lives of 37 individuals shines a bright light of hope against the grim darkness of capital punishment.

"Catholic Mobilizing Network will not waver from our commitment to end capital punishment until the practice is completely abolished throughout the country. We will continue to pray fervently that President Biden takes additional action by commuting the death sentences of the three men who remain on federal death row - while in the appeals process currently - at risk of execution in the future.

"This news of saving 37 lives is a blessing - a wonderful demonstration of mercy arriving on the cusp of the special Jubilee Year of 2025 - a year that Pope Francis has invited us to 'be renewed in hope.'

"Hopeful that this action will mark a turning point in our nation's justice system.

"Hopeful that it will serve as a model for leaders at the state level to follow suit.

"Hopeful that we will see the abolition of the death penalty come one day soon."

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, DC said: "I applaud President Biden's decision to commute these death sentences.. It is one important step toward a greater respect for human life - even the lives of those who may have brought such suffering and pain to the lives of others."

In his statement, Cardinal Gregory noted that Pope Francis, in line with his predecessors, has called the death penalty "contrary to humanity's social and ethical dignity, and unnecessary for the protection of society," and he warned that "the death penalty is but one more link in the awful loss of public respect for human life itself."

The head of the US bishops' conference, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, also applauded Biden's decision. "I'm very, very pleased that President Biden heeded the request of Pope Francis and many, many others to make this gesture, which demonstrates respect for human life." He noted that although criminals still have "a responsibility to society" [...] their lives should not be taken from them."

Pope Francis has often appealed for the abolition of the use of the death penalty, most recently in his Message for the World Day of Peace 2025.

Earlier this month, during the Angelus on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Holy Father urged prayers for death row prisoners in the United States, "Let us pray that their sentences may be commuted or changed," he said. "Let us think of these brothers and sisters of ours and ask the Lord for the grace to save them from death."

Later, Pope Francis followed up on his appeal during a phone call with Joe Biden on 19 December.

Seventy percent of the world's countries have already abolished the death penalty in law and/or practice. The five countries who executed the most people in the world in 2023 are, in order: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the US.

LINKS

Catholic Mobilizing Network: https://catholicsmobilizing.org/

Read the White House statement with full list of names HERE