December 23, 2024: President Biden Commutes 37 of 40 Federal Death Sentences and House Ethics Committee Releases Gaetz Report. Here's What You Need to Know.
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Deep Dive
Why did President Biden commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates?
Biden's decision aligns with his administration's moratorium on federal executions, except in cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. He believes the death penalty should be abolished at the federal level, guided by his conscience and experience in law and public service.
Who are the three inmates whose death sentences were not commuted by President Biden?
The three inmates are the Boston Marathon bomber, a man who killed nine people at a church in South Carolina in 2015, and a man who killed 11 people at a synagogue in 2018.
How rare are federal death penalty sentences and executions in the U.S.?
Federal death penalty sentences are rare, with only 60 eligible offenses. Executions are even rarer; between 1963 and 2001, there were no federal executions. Since 1988, only 16 executions have taken place, with 13 occurring in a seven-month span under Trump.
What are the key findings of the House Ethics Committee's report on Matt Gaetz?
The report found substantial evidence that Gaetz paid 12 women for sex, had sex with a 17-year-old in 2017, used cocaine and ecstasy, accepted improper gifts, misused official resources, lied to the State Department, and obstructed the committee's investigation. However, it found no substantial evidence of federal sex trafficking violations.
Why did Matt Gaetz file a lawsuit against the House Ethics Committee?
Gaetz alleges that the release of the report violates the Constitution, the Privacy Act, and constitutes defamation. He argues that the Ethics Committee lost jurisdiction after his resignation, making the release of the report unconstitutional and a violation of his rights.
What is the dissenting view on the House Ethics Committee's decision to release the Gaetz report?
Dissenting members argue that the committee lost jurisdiction over Gaetz after his resignation and that releasing the report breaks from longstanding practice, potentially weaponizing the committee's process and opening it to criticism.
- Commutation vs. Pardon
- Rarity of Federal Death Penalty
- Three Remaining Inmates: Boston Marathon Bomber, Charleston Church Shooter, Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter
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