Biden Faces Urgency to Commute Death Sentences

Calls are intensifying for President Joe Biden to exercise his clemency powers to commute the death sentences of 40 federal inmates before he leaves office, particularly in light of Donald Trump's plans to resume federal executions. Advocacy groups, including the ACLU and Catholic Mobilizing Network, are urging Biden to act quickly, emphasizing the moral imperative to save lives and the potential for a renewed execution spree under Trump. Left-wing organizations have circulated a petition demanding the commutation of all death sentences, citing concerns over racial bias and wrongful convictions. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are also pressing Biden to reduce sentences for federal prisoners convicted of drug crimes under outdated laws. Critics argue that commuting sentences now would undermine the electoral mandate given to Trump, who has expressed a desire to expand the death penalty. The urgency for action is compounded by the limited time left in Biden's presidency, as advocates fear a return to a more punitive approach under the next administration.