Dozens of advocacy groups press Biden to halt federal executions

More than 80 advocacy groups on Tuesday called for the Biden administration to halt federal executions, ending a process that was restarted by the Trump administration in 2019.

The Associated Press reported that a letter signed by 82 organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union asks President Biden to make good “on your promise of ensuring equality, equity, and justice in our criminal legal system.”

“Any criminal legal system truly dedicated to the pursuit of justice should recognize the humanity of all those who come into contact with it, not sanction the use of a discriminatory practice that denies individuals their rights, fails to respect their dignity, and stands in stark contrast to the fundamental values of our democratic system of governance,” reads the letter.

White House officials did not immediately return a request for comment on the letter. Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki, was asked about the issue last week during a news briefing and told reporters that she didn’t “have anything to predict for you or preview for you in terms of additional steps” taken in response.

The calls to end federal executions grew louder in December as the Trump administration carried out several executions in the waning days of the former president’s term, totaling 13 over the course of a year and a half. More than 40 members of Congress called on Biden at the time to halt executions once he took office.

“The current administration has weaponized capital punishment with callous disregard for human life,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) said in December.

“Each of these elements are critical to help prevent greater harm and further loss of life,” she added.

Alan Dershowitz, a lawyer who aided Trump during his first impeachment trial, revealed Monday that he was involved in numerous efforts to obtain clemency for inmates set to be executed under the Trump Justice Department, including Brandon Bernard, who was executed in December.