Trump Rages at Biden for Wrecking His Plans for Executions: ‘Makes No Sense’
www.thedailybeast.com
Human rights experts praised Biden’s decision to commute death-row sentences—which baffled death penalty hawk Trump.

Summary

President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole, sparing all but three convicted of high-profile mass killings.

Biden framed the decision as a moral stance against federal executions, citing his legal background and belief in the dignity of human life.

Donald Trump criticized the move as senseless, vowing to reinstate the death penalty.

Reactions were mixed: some victims’ families condemned Biden, while others supported his decision. Human rights groups praised it as a significant step against capital punishment.

  • NeptuneOrbit@lemmy.world
    52·
    2 days ago

    In theory, the death penalty makes some sense. It’s a right the government reserves for itself (violence) and I think in some contexts it makes sense to be on the table. In practice, it’s more expensive than a life sentence, and it’s a blunt and racist tool to maintain unjust social and state power.

    I wish every governor and president commuted 95% of death penalty situations. It’s a major injustice that most executions were carried out, even for those who belief it’s something the government should be doing.

    • Boiglenoight@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      2 days ago

      I don’t get it. The death penalty doesn’t seem to deter people from committing heinous crimes. The practice seems more for the families who want closure, but morally we should be above killing unnecessarily. Whether someone is jailed for life in solitary or sentenced to death does not change the fact that they will never be able to harm another member of society.

      And don’t get me wrong, if someone kills a loved one I will want them dead, but my emotions should not drive taxpayer funded punishment.

      • duffman@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 days ago

        Putting aside some of the practical issues for a moment…

        • that legal process makes executions more expensive than a life sentenc
        • it’s a tremendous power for governments to have and rife for corruption or making permanent mistakes.

        Why should society be obligated to suppord, and securely house people who should never be allowed back into society?

    • Randelung@lemmy.world
      8·
      2 days ago

      Also, you’re very hardly ever 100% sure someone deserves to die. It’s morally much better to not kill just in case - and there’s been tons of cases where new evidence, like DNA, has exonerated convicted prisoners. You might be keeping someone fed and warm who didn’t deserve it, but personally I’d rather err on the side of humanity.

      • JamesTBagg@lemmy.world
        3·
        2 days ago

        Like Gandalf said,
        “Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.”

    • untorquer@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 days ago

      Maybe instead we could put those resources towards restoring the lives of the victims instead of the punishment of the sentenced?

      A punitive system leaves the victims out cold where the only solace they can hope for is that the person responsible is punished appropriately.

      A better one might provide mental/physical healthcare, social support, and an option for a direct role in the reconciliation process for the victim and their immediate family/household.

      I just don’t see how “justice” can be achieved when everyone has paid in and all we get for it is someone locked in a cell or murdered while the people they wronged haven’t seen an ounce of support.