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473

Trump rages at Biden for wrecking his plans for executions: ‘Makes no sense’ (www.thedailybeast.com)

submitted 1 week ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

176 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary

President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole, sparing all but three convicted of high-profile mass killings.

Biden framed the decision as a moral stance against federal executions, citing his legal background and belief in the dignity of human life.

Donald Trump criticized the move as senseless, vowing to reinstate the death penalty.

Reactions were mixed: some victims’ families condemned Biden, while others supported his decision. Human rights groups praised it as a significant step against capital punishment.

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[–] Chef@sh.itjust.works 10 points 6 days ago (3 children)

The State should not be allowed to punish someone by killing them. Capital punishment is merely revenge with the government acting as the hitman. There’s no way to prevent an innocent person from being accidentally murdered. And those 40 people are proof that it doesn’t act as an effective deterrent.

It’s a barbaric practice and we need to end it.

[–] Doom@ttrpg.network 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

99% of the time yes but the Hitler fact. Assad, Putin, etc. Actual large scale crimes against humanity

[–] coriza@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

There is an adage that says "Hard cases make bad law". In the end is a case of, what is preferred, let a guilt person go unpunished or punish an innocent person? I personally believe that it is never ok to punish an innocent person. And I think it is not even that extreme when we are talking about capital punishment or be "tough on crime", it is more like, do um prefer to under punish some guilt people or over punish others including some innocents?

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[–] pixeltree@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 6 days ago (2 children)

I don't think the government should have the power to kill people as a punishment, with that said I'm also not upset that the sentences of these three weren't commuted.

[–] pyre@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (4 children)

I don't understand the reasoning. you can't say you are anti death penalty and believe in dignity and sanctity of life or whatever but then turn around and say "except for these three motherfuckers"...

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[–] dariusj18@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

Yeah, it seems weird that a government of a country that one is a citizen of can choose to have you killed. But assisted suicide is illegal.

[–] crossdl@leminal.space 7 points 6 days ago (2 children)

I kind of wonder if Biden is setting him up to execute Luigi and get on the wrong side of this current populist movement.

[–] AstridWipenaugh@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

~~The fed has nothing to do with that. He's being charged by the state of NY.~~ TIL they added on a few federal charges.

[–] King_Bob_IV@startrek.website 2 points 6 days ago

He is also being charged federally. And that is the capital case.

[–] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 days ago

even if he does get convicted, any execution probably won't happen in the next four years. death row appeals take a long time.

[–] MapleEngineer@lemmy.world 7 points 6 days ago

His incompetence killed hundreds of thousands his first term. This time he was hoping for a more direct approach. Biden spoiled his murderous fun.

[–] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 5 days ago

imagine running on "the deficit" and then whining that you can't spend millions to let the state kill someone.

[–] uis@lemm.ee 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I know of onlt one western country with death penalty: Belarus. And I'm pretty sure as soon as potato dictator dies, it will be abolished.

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[–] macattack@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Biden: Grants clemency indiscriminately for 1,500 people Public: Why did you let the Cash for Kids woman free Biden: Commutes death sentences selectively Public: Who made you judge, jury and executioner?

[–] Bob_Robertson_IX@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Biden: Grants clemency indiscriminately for 1,500 people indiscriminately Media: Why did you let the Cash for Kids woman free Biden: Commutes death sentences selectively Media: Who made you judge, jury and executioner?

FIFY... Real people honestly wouldn't care about any of this if the media wasn't trying to inspire outrage.

[–] macattack@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

I think it's the opposite. The public opinion has turned on him and so everything he does is critiqued. It's nudge on by the media but is also the cycle of celebrities du jour

[–] normalexit@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

We could have had colosseum executions where inmates fight to the death, hosted by Dana White and the UFC. But no, old man Biden has to ruin the fun.

[–] Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Good. The more he cries the better

[–] dariusj18@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (2 children)

People forgetting Biden is Catholic, and Catholicism is pretty anti-death penalty.

[–] aphlamingphoenix@lemm.ee 11 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Tell that to my Catholic trumper parents.

[–] WammKD@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 6 days ago

I know it won't make a difference to them (who're the cafeteria Catholics, now?) but it is an official part of the catechism.

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[–] NeptuneOrbit@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (3 children)

In theory, the death penalty makes some sense. It's a right the government reserves for itself (violence) and I think in some contexts it makes sense to be on the table. In practice, it's more expensive than a life sentence, and it's a blunt and racist tool to maintain unjust social and state power.

I wish every governor and president commuted 95% of death penalty situations. It's a major injustice that most executions were carried out, even for those who belief it's something the government should be doing.

[–] Randelung@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Also, you're very hardly ever 100% sure someone deserves to die. It's morally much better to not kill just in case - and there's been tons of cases where new evidence, like DNA, has exonerated convicted prisoners. You might be keeping someone fed and warm who didn't deserve it, but personally I'd rather err on the side of humanity.

[–] JamesTBagg@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

Like Gandalf said,
"Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement."

[–] Boiglenoight@lemmy.world 7 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I don’t get it. The death penalty doesn’t seem to deter people from committing heinous crimes. The practice seems more for the families who want closure, but morally we should be above killing unnecessarily. Whether someone is jailed for life in solitary or sentenced to death does not change the fact that they will never be able to harm another member of society.

And don’t get me wrong, if someone kills a loved one I will want them dead, but my emotions should not drive taxpayer funded punishment.

[–] duffman@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Putting aside some of the practical issues for a moment...

that legal process makes executions more expensive than a life sentenc
it's a tremendous power for governments to have and rife for corruption or making permanent mistakes.

Why should society be obligated to suppord, and securely house people who should never be allowed back into society?

[–] untorquer@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Maybe instead we could put those resources towards restoring the lives of the victims instead of the punishment of the sentenced?

A punitive system leaves the victims out cold where the only solace they can hope for is that the person responsible is punished appropriately.

A better one might provide mental/physical healthcare, social support, and an option for a direct role in the reconciliation process for the victim and their immediate family/household.

I just don't see how "justice" can be achieved when everyone has paid in and all we get for it is someone locked in a cell or murdered while the people they wronged haven't seen an ounce of support.

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