Trump pledges to have DOJ pursue death penalty for violent criminals a day after Biden commutations

President-elect Donald Trump emphatically stated plans to have his Justice Department pursue and restore the death penalty for “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters” one day after President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of nearly all federal inmates on death row. 

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that “As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters,” adding, “We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!” 

Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 convicted murderers, all males, to life in prison on Monday, leaving only three still facing the possibility of being executed. The three included two mass shooters who killed multiple victims in a church and synagogue, and one of the brothers responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing, according to The Hill. 

Biden defended his action in part because he expects Trump, when he becomes president again next month, to remove the moratorium on federal executions under Biden’s White House. There were none during Biden’s four years in office. 

“Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden said in a statement.

Trump posted again on Truth Social that “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!”

Among those whose sentence was commuted were a serial killer, child killers, rapists and a drug kingpin.