ToplineMore than 20 Democrats in Congress urged the Department of Justice to stop executions of federal death row inmates a month ago. Anti-death penalty advocates are pressing the Biden administration for permanent repeal of capital punishment.Merrick Garland, Federal Judge, delivers remarks following his nomination to be U.S. Attorney General by Joe Biden on January 7, 2021 at Wilmington, Delaware. Getty ImagesThe Key FactsOn Monday afternoon, 17 Senate Democrats, including Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D.Ill.), asked Attorney General Merrick Garland for an interrogation of federal prosecutors regarding the possibility of requesting the death penalty in any criminal case. The DOJ is currently reviewing the capital punishment order by Garland last month. Monday's open letter was authored by four House Democrats, including Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), asking Attorney General Merrick Garland to stop federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in any new or pending criminal cases while the DOJ reviews capital punishment. Both letters applauded Garland's decision to impose a moratorium in executions early July. However, they warned that the DOJ could allow a future president the opportunity to increase executions if it continues to pursue the death penalty in new cases. The Department of Justice didn't respond to our request for comment.TangentThe former President Donald Trump, citing a 17-year-old lapse in federal executions and executing 13 people in just six months last year as a cautionary tale by congressional Democrats, was cited. Critics criticized this move as unnecessary and cruel, but William Barr, the former Attorney General, pointed out the horrific crimes that some inmates were convicted of and said the DOJ was trying to enforce the sentence imposed by the justice system.Important QuoteAccording to a Senate Democrats letter, Garland stated that we were alarmist when the previous administration lifted the 17-year moratorium regarding the federal death penalty. Refusing to accept the death penalty and adding more death row prisoners can lower the likelihood that future administrations will execute federal convicts at a comparable rate.Important BackgroundBiden promised to fight for the elimination of death penalties on the campaign trail. The New York Times reported that the DOJ temporarily halted executions until a thorough review of the practice was completed. Last month, seven federal cases were under review by the department. Some death penalty opponents criticize the Biden administration's inaction. After Dzhokhar, the Boston Marathon bomber, was sentenced to death last year by an appeals court, the DOJ under Biden is now asking the Supreme Court for the reinstatement of the death penalty. This strategy seems to be in direct contradiction to Biden's opposition to the death punishment. Some lawmakers also want to abolish capital punishment through legislation, which would prevent Biden and any future presidents seeking the death penalty.ContraGarlands pause applies only to the dozens federal death row inmates, which is a small fraction of the over 2,500 nationwide prisoners who are currently facing execution, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Most of the death row inmates in the country were executed via the state courts. More than half of all states allow capital punishment.What to WatchThe DOJs review. Garland requested a probe into racial disparities in capital punishment, safety concerns regarding lethal injection drugs, and the possibility of execution of innocent prisoners. The review is still in progress.Continue readingBiden Administration Orders Halt On Federal Executions After Surge Under Trump (Forbes)
