President Joe Biden made a bold move on Monday by commuting the death sentences of 37 out of the 40 men currently on federal death row. This decision comes as part of his ongoing stance against the death penalty.
However, three men remain on the list: Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Robert Bowers. These are high-profile cases that have sparked a lot of discussion. Roof is known for the 2015 massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, where he killed nine Black churchgoers. Tsarnaev was convicted for the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which took three lives and injured over 260. Bowers carried out the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 people and injuring several others in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.
In 2021, the Biden administration introduced a moratorium on federal executions, which paused federal death penalty cases during his time in office. As Trump’s return to office looms, there are growing calls for Biden to ensure the death penalty is completely ended, preventing any more federal executions under Trump’s watch.
Biden addressed the issue with a heartfelt statement on Monday, explaining that he was “more convinced than ever” that the U.S. should move away from the death penalty. He stressed that his actions align with his administration’s moratorium, but also made it clear that he condemns the killers for their actions and deeply mourns the victims and their families. In a pointed remark towards Trump, he said, “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.”
Trump resumed federal executions in 2020, overseeing 13 during his first term after a 17-year break. Biden’s decision now raises the question of whether Trump will try to bring back executions once again.
Let’s take a quick look at the three men who remain on federal death row:
Dylann Roof: In 2015, Roof, a white supremacist, shot and killed nine Black churchgoers during a Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He later admitted he wanted to start a race war. Roof was sentenced to death in 2017, and his sentence was upheld by an appeals court in 2021.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: Tsarnaev, alongside his brother, set off two bombs during the 2013 Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring over 260. Tsarnaev was convicted of 30 charges, including conspiracy and using a weapon of mass destruction. While an appeals court overturned his death sentence in 2020, the Supreme Court reinstated it in 2022, with his lawyers continuing to fight for a new trial.
Robert Bowers: Bowers is responsible for the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which resulted in 11 deaths. Before the attack, he had posted hateful comments about Jewish people on social media. Bowers was convicted in 2023, and the jury recommended the death penalty.
Not everyone agrees with Biden’s decision to leave these three men on death row. Reverend Sharon Risher, whose mother and cousins were killed by Roof, expressed her disappointment, calling it “unfair.” She shared that every time these cases are brought up, it brings her back to the trauma of losing her loved ones, making it hard for her to heal. She urged Biden to finish what he started by commuting their sentences as well, not just for the families, but for the sake of justice.
Other opponents of the death penalty echoed her concerns, emphasizing the danger of leaving it open for Trump to resume executions. Abraham Bonowitz from Death Penalty Action warned about Trump’s potential to bring back executions, given his admiration for authoritarian leaders. Jean Schmidt, a former advocate of the death penalty, shared her personal experience of witnessing the Boston Marathon bombing and how her view on Tsarnaev’s death penalty has evolved. She now believes he should spend life in prison instead.
This issue of the death penalty is one that continues to divide people, with strong feelings on both sides. Biden’s decision has sparked a significant debate on justice, mercy, and the power of the presidency.
