Donald Trump criticized Joe Biden on Tuesday for reducing the death sentences of nearly every federal prisoner on death row, just as Biden’s presidency was coming to an end. On Monday, Biden announced that he would change the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without parole. These inmates included people convicted of murder, including those who killed fellow prisoners, committed murders during bank robberies, or killed prison guards.
Trump, expressing his anger on his social media platform, Truth Social, said that Biden had let some of the “worst killers” off death row, calling it “unbelievable” and “senseless,” adding that victims’ families would be devastated by the decision.
Biden had already paused federal executions but faced pressure to take further action before leaving office. However, three notable cases—such as the Boston Marathon bomber and the gunman who killed 11 Jewish worshippers—were excluded from Biden’s decision.
Biden defended his choice, saying he could not allow a new administration to resume executions that he had stopped. He expressed sympathy for the victims of these crimes but stood by his belief that the federal death penalty should end.
