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Faith leaders and advocates celebrate this historic decision to spare lives and call for the abolition of the death penalty.
On December 23, 2024, President Joe Biden made history by commuting the sentences of 37 out of 40 individuals on federal death row, converting their sentences to life imprisonment without parole. This unprecedented action underscores a commitment to addressing systemic failures and advancing equity in the U.S. justice system (White House Fact Sheet).
This transformative decision spares nearly all individuals on federal death row but maintains accountability for three individuals whose crimes caused widespread harm and terror.
Remaining Cases on Federal Death Row
While most federal death sentences were commuted, three individuals remain on death row due to the egregious nature of their crimes:
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: Convicted in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured more than 260 others (Justice Department Announcement).
Robert Bowers: Convicted in the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue attack, which killed 11 worshippers in an act of antisemitic hate (NPR Coverage).
Dylann Roof: Convicted in the 2015 Emanuel African Methodist Church massacre, which killed nine Black parishioners in a racially motivated act of domestic terrorism (Justice Department Press Release).
While accountability for these acts of hate and violence remains, the broader decision to commute 37 federal death sentences is a bold step toward justice.
Why This Decision Matters
The federal death penalty has long been plagued by systemic injustice, racial bias, and irreparable harm:
Racial Bias: Black Americans make up only 13% of the U.S. population but represent 42% of federal death row inmates (Brennan Center for Justice).
Geographic Disparities: 43% of all federal death sentences come from just three states: Texas, Virginia, and Missouri. Justice should not depend on geography (Commute the Row).
Youth and Poverty: 25% of those on federal death row were 21 or younger at the time of their crimes, often raised in poverty and facing untreated mental health struggles (Federal Capital Habeas Project).
Wrongful Convictions: Since 1973, 190 individuals sentenced to death in the U.S. have been exonerated due to wrongful convictions (Death Penalty Information Center).
This decision marks progress, but it also underscores the urgent need to abolish the federal death penalty entirely.
Faith Leaders Respond
Faith leaders have long championed the fight against the death penalty, highlighting its moral failings and systemic inequities:
Rev. Cece Jones-Davis, Founder of Justice for Julius, Black Church PAC Organizer, and Special Advisor, said:"The death penalty in this country has proven to be a racist policy that has killed countless innocent people. The government has never had the moral right to kill, and I’m relieved by President Biden’s decision to commute 37 of the 40 men on federal death row. Our nation is a little less violent today, and that gives me hope."
Pastor Michael McBride, Co-Founder of Black Church PAC & Freedom Fund, Executive Director of Live Free USA, shared:"Commuting 37 of 40 federal death sentences is a monumental act of courage. The death penalty has perpetuated systemic injustice, failed to deliver real accountability, and silenced opportunities for redemption. President Biden’s decision brings us closer to a justice system rooted in equity, dignity, and hope."
Pastor Traci Blackmon, Co-Founder of Black Church PAC & Freedom Fund, stated:"This historic decision reflects a moral imperative to end capital punishment. The death penalty perpetuates systemic racism and denies the possibility of redemption. President Biden’s action is a step forward, but the fight to abolish this practice entirely must continue."
Learn More
To explore the history of this effort and join the movement, visit:
CommuteTheRow.com to learn about the national campaign to end the death penalty.
White House Fact Sheet for a detailed summary of President Biden’s announcement.
Call to Action
We invite you to join the Commute the Row Campaign to continue advocating for justice, equity, and the abolition of the death penalty.
How You Can Take Action
Amplify the Message: Share this historic decision on social media using #CommutetheRow to spread awareness.
Support Legislation: Advocate for the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act of 2023 (H.R.4633/S.2299) to abolish the death penalty federally.
Engage Locally: Advocate for trauma-informed programs that support victims’ families, prevent violence, and foster community healing.