Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden is facing growing pressure from advocacy groups to fulfill a critical campaign promise: ending the federal death penalty. This pledge, made during his 2020 campaign, has yet to see full realization, as the current moratorium on federal executions does not amount to a permanent abolition.
In 2021, the Department of Justice halted federal executions to review policies and procedures, a move seen as a temporary measure. However, with the recent election of Donald Trump as President-elect, human rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International, are urging Biden to take definitive action before leaving office.
Advocacy groups fear that Trump’s return to office may lead to a reinstatement of federal executions, reversing the progress made under Biden’s administration. The ACLU stated, “President Biden has a unique opportunity to end the federal death penalty once and for all. Failure to act now could result in a return to the dark days of federal executions.”
Human rights advocates have proposed several actions, including commuting the sentences of those on federal death row and supporting legislative efforts to abolish the federal death penalty. Despite these calls, the White House has yet to issue a formal response.
As the transition of power nears, the spotlight remains on Biden to act decisively, fulfilling his promise and ensuring the federal death penalty’s abolition becomes a lasting legacy.
Stay tuned for further updates on this story.