Joe Biden (D) [2014 file photo].

Frome the White House:

Statement from President Joe Biden on Federal Death Row Commutations

I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system.

Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. 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. In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.

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December 23, 2024
FACT SHEET: President Biden Commutes the Sentences of 37 Individuals on Death Row
Home

Today, President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. Those individuals will have their sentences reclassified from execution to life without the possibility of parole.

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.

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[….]

And, then:

Mark Alford (r) [2023 file photo].

Congressman Mark Alford
[December 23, 2024]
Mass commutations by Biden send the wrong message: criminals over victims.
Americans want security in our homes, neighborhoods, and at the border—not soft-on-crime policies. This is yet another sign of a weak, failed presidency.
[….]

There you go. “Pro-life, except for the death penalty, and…” Sort of like being just a little bit pregnant, don’t you think?

Some of the responses to Mark Alford (r):

They are not leaving prison, they will spend the rest of their lives in prison. How many developed countries still have the death penalty? None. The death penalty is not a deterrent.

they aren’t being freed. Their death sentence was changed to life in prison.

Alford doesn’t understand facts.

I strongly disagree with your position on the death penalty. Death penalty cases should be extremely rare. The way our justice system is set up, it is far less expensive to have someone in prison for life than to execute them. There is no substantial evidence that a death penalty deters crime any more than a life sentence.

Trump has promised to pardon the criminals who carried out the January 6 coup attempt. Are you not angry about that?

Mark’s a bought and paid for hypocrite.

Congressman Mark Alford, how is this any different than Trump threatening to Pardon Jan 6 Insurrectionists, the same people who attacked the Capitol and threatened OUR Democracy?

it’s not, but Mark’s a massive hypocrite and a coward who won’t reply.

Tell us about the Criminal Matt Gaetz of the Republican Party!!!

Alford loves him.

Why would anyone ever listen to you???

They are not getting out of prison.

Let me see, there is a commandment that says something like “Thou shall not kill”…. Hummmm . Yeah I believe I read that somewhere. Maybe in the list of 10.

Merry Festivus (Dec 23rd). Let the Airing of Grievances begin.

I thought you were pro-life.

Really. Do you know how many times innocent people have been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. Especially in states like Texas. Some even for deaths that were purely accidental. I do not support death sentences unless it is for a mass murderer or serial murderer with incontrovertble evidence.

Rump wanted to have a mass execution fest when he got in office. President Biden nixed that. The rumpublicans forget that the orange cheato wants to pardon the seditionist coup cult for Jan 6 failed coup attempt. I guess you ignore “thy shall not kill” commandment huh Mark Afraid? I guess you don’t believe in justice for the Police officers or the destructive hell they caused on the capitol.

Trump is a criminal.

This is another of your weak, pathetic posts to demean a President who has many major accomplishments, unlike your beloved felon.

Congressman Mark Alford. Preach on Sunday, advocate to kill dozens on Monday. You are such a hypocritical, lying POS. Let’s talk about the millions of dollars you’re spending between your campaign account and your office account. Lots and lots of personal mileage reimbursements to you and your wife – don’t you think mileage reimbursements pushing $100K is a little bit much? Let’s talk about that, and those $5K cigars. #UnfitToServe

It must be Monday. Sunday is for Christians, Monday we throw away all of that and say let’s kill’em. Though shall not kill. If you follow the bible that means the individual and the (representative) state.

Life without the possibility of parole means they will never be free again. It’s cheaper than executing them (not that there’s a fiscal conservative in Congress). There is no data to suggest the death penalty is a deterrent. Executing bad guys makes some people feel better, sort of, but it does nothing to reduce crime levels. We need to stop governing with our gut and start using our brains. If you are for law and order you’d stop supporting pardoning felons. At least the President isn’t turning felons free like the last guy did and promises to do.

How has the death penalty deterred crime?

Shut up Mark.
Failed news anchor

There is a difference.