Trump promises to seek death penalty for those who commit serious crimes
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to vigorously pursue the application of the death penalty for individuals convicted of violent crimes. He plans to reinstate this practice, as was the case during his first term in office, according to Axios and The Guardian.
Trump’s statement came a day after outgoing US President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of most federal inmates on death row.
"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. We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
According to The Guardian, the newly elected president will not be able to overturn Biden’s commutations, which affected 37 federal prisoners sentenced to death.
In his statement, the current White House leader emphasized that he condemns these killers, mourns the victims of their heinous acts, and sympathizes with all the families who have suffered incredible and irreparable loss.
Opponents of the death penalty welcomed this decision, while others criticized the move.
However, three men did not receive commutations. They include:
- Robert Bowers, convicted for the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.
- Dylann Roof, convicted of the shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME church.
- Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for the Boston Marathon bombing.
In an interview with NBC News, Donald Trump stated his intention to pardon participants in the Capitol riot (an incident that took place on January 6, 2021). He specified that he plans to take this action on his first day after inauguration.
