An American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) petition is calling on President Biden “to commute all federal death sentences” before President-elect Trump takes office.
“President Biden, as your constituent, I urge you to seize this moment before you leave office to make history as the first U.S. president to commute all federal death sentences,” the petition reads.
“For decades, the federal death penalty has disproportionately affected people of color and those with disabilities – while offering no improvements to public safety,” the petition continues.
In 2020, the final year of the first Trump administration, the federal government executed more prisoners than all of the states that were conducting the death penalty put together, according to a study.
The Death Penalty Information Center found that in the wake of a 17-year pause, the Department of Justice (DOJ) oversaw the execution of 10 prisoners in 2020, versus seven who were executed by states that were still using capital punishment.
In 2021, Biden’s attorney general, Merrick Garland, announced a moratorium on federal death sentences.
“Now, in 2024, with over half of the federal death row comprising people of color, you have the chance to prevent irreversible miscarriages of justice and build a legacy rooted in racial justice and compassion,” the ACLU’s petition to Biden reads.
“You came into office committing to take action on the death penalty because of its fundamental flaws,” the petition continues. “Now is the time to follow through on that promise especially as the nation gets closer and closer to a Trump administration once again.”
Around midday Thursday, the petition, with a goal of getting the signatures of 10,000 people, had garnered the signatures of 951 people.
The Hill has reached out to the White House and the Trump transition team for comment.
