Legal/Law/Criminal Justice and Reform

Trump Promises To ‘Vigorously’ Pursue Death Penalty After Biden Commutes Sentences

Former President Donald Trump campaigning in Drexel Hill, Pa., Oct. 29, 2024.

President-elect Donald Trump promised Tuesday that he would “vigorously” enforce the death penalty following President Joe Biden’s decision to grant clemency to 37 death row inmates.

“As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters,” Trump wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. “We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!”

Biden commuted death sentences Monday for 37 criminals convicted for brutal murders, reclassifying their sentences to life without parole. Biden said that he could not in good conscience “stand back and let a new administration resume executions” he halted.

“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,” Biden said in a statement. “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.”

Inmates whose sentences were commuted include Jorge Aviia-Torrez, who murdered two young girls and a 20-year old female naval officer. Kathleen Zellner, who represented the father of one of the girls Torrez killed, told the DCNF Biden’s decision was “carried out recklessly and for the President’s own political agenda against the incoming administration.”

Anthony Battle, who murdered a prison guard while he was facing a life sentence for murdering his wife, also had his sentence commuted.

Family and friends of victims slammed Biden’s decision Monday, accusing Biden of not considering them in the decision.

“Joe Biden’s decision is a clear gross abuse of power,” Heather Turner, whose mother was killed by an inmate on death row, wrote on Facebook. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.”

Trump also wrote Tuesday that Biden’s decision “makes no sense.”

“Relatives and friends are further devastated,” he said on Truth Social. “They can’t believe this is happening!”