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Activists are urging President Biden to grant clemency to individuals on death row before President Trump’s term ends. This effort is part of a broader push by Democrats to seek clemency for those currently incarcerated.
Written by Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Erica L. Green
Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Erica L. Green write about news related to the White House. They work as journalists in Washington and report on events happening in the
A coalition of individuals including human rights advocates, former prison officials, and families of victims of crime urged President Biden to grant clemency to the 40 inmates currently on federal death row before he transitions power to President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The group wrote a series of public letters pointing out that President Biden ran on a platform against the death penalty. In contrast, former President Trump is in favor of capital punishment and resumed federal executions after a nearly two-decade hiatus during his first term in office.
One of the letters emphasized the importance of showing dedication to addressing injustices by granting executive clemency and reducing the death sentences of individuals on federal death row as your term in office nears its end.
On Monday, congressional Democrats and others urged President Biden to consider using his clemency power to change death sentences to life sentences without the possibility of parole. They also called for the release of individuals who are serving excessively long sentences for drug-related offenses.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, mentioned recently that President Biden is anticipated to make additional announcements regarding clemency towards the end of his term.
"Ms. Jean-Pierre mentioned that he is carefully considering that process."
Usually, presidents grant pardons at the end of their term in office. Recently, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter, despite previously stating he wouldn’t. This pardon cleared Hunter’s legal issues, such as a federal conviction for purchasing a gun illegally and tax evasion.
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