Pam Bondi, recently confirmed as U.S. Attorney General, has taken decisive action in response to former President Joe Biden’s last-minute commutations of death row inmates. In a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) employees, Bondi expressed her intent to reverse these commutations, which she claims undermine the justice system and the rights of victims’ families.
Bondi’s confirmation came on a Wednesday, and shortly thereafter, she issued directives aimed at reinstating the death penalty for the 37 inmates whose sentences were commuted by Biden in December. These commutations reclassified the inmates’ sentences to life without the possibility of parole, a move that Bondi argues disrespects the victims and their families.
In her communication, Bondi accused Biden of "undermining our justice system" and emphasized the need for the DOJ to act swiftly to restore justice for the victims. She outlined a plan that includes facilitating a public forum for victims’ families to voice how the commutations have affected them, stating that this is a crucial step toward building trust and accountability within the justice system.
Furthermore, Bondi directed U.S. attorneys to pursue death sentences against the commuted inmates under state law, contingent upon consultations with victims’ families and other stakeholders. This approach aims to ensure that the legal actions taken are appropriate and permissible under the law. Bondi also instructed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to maintain stringent conditions for the inmates, reflecting the severity of their crimes.
The backdrop to Bondi’s directives is Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of these inmates, which the White House defended as a means to prevent future executions that would not align with current policies. At the time, Biden’s administration highlighted the positive impact of his criminal justice record on marginalized communities and indicated ongoing efforts to review pardons and commutations.
Bondi, a former prosecutor and Florida state attorney general, has made it clear that her priority as Attorney General is to eliminate political influence and ensure equal justice for all. Her firm stance on the commutations reflects a broader commitment to uphold the rule of law and address the rights of victims in the justice process. As she moves forward with her directives, the implications for both the DOJ and the families affected by these decisions remain to be seen.