Activists Call on Biden to Clear Death Row Before Trump Takes Office

As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office in January, activists are calling on him to take swift action to clear death row before President Trump leaves office. With just a few weeks left in Trump’s term, advocates are urging Biden to use his executive powers to commute the sentences of all federal death row inmates.

The urgency of this call to action comes as the Trump administration has been ramping up federal executions in the final months of his presidency. Since July, the administration has executed seven federal inmates, with three more executions scheduled before Biden’s inauguration. This unprecedented spree of executions has drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups, legal experts, and religious leaders.

Activists argue that these executions are a cruel and unnecessary use of state power, especially as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism. They also point to the inherent flaws and injustices in the death penalty system, which disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and fails to provide true justice for victims and their families.

By clearing death row before Trump leaves office, Biden can send a powerful message about his commitment to criminal justice reform and human rights. This action would also align with the growing public support for abolishing the death penalty, as more states and jurisdictions have moved to end capital punishment in recent years.

While Biden has expressed his opposition to the death penalty and has pledged to work towards its abolition, activists are calling on him to take immediate action to save the lives of those on death row. By granting clemency to these individuals, Biden can demonstrate his commitment to justice, mercy, and human dignity.

As the clock ticks down to Biden’s inauguration, the pressure is mounting for him to act swiftly and decisively on this issue. The fate of those on death row hangs in the balance, and their lives depend on Biden’s willingness to take a stand against the death penalty. Now is the time for Biden to show leadership and compassion by clearing death row before Trump leaves office.