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.

  • Boiglenoight@lemmy.world
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    16 hours 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
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      11 hours 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?