achieve through the Department of Justice,” Bondi wrote. “The Department of Justice is directed to immediately take the following actions to seek justice for the families of the 37 commuted murderers.”
Bondi suggested creating a public forum for victims’ families to share how the commutations affected them personally, calling it an “important step” toward rebuilding trust and ensuring accountability, as reported by Fox News.
She indicated that U.S. attorneys’ offices should utilize state law rather than federal law to pursue cases against those whose death sentences had been commuted, stating this would occur “where appropriate and legally permissible” and “after consultation with the families of the victims and other interested parties.”
“The Capital Case Section will assist the United States Attorney’s Offices in implementing this directive,” Bondi’s letter stated.
Additionally, she directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure that the conditions of confinement for the 37 commuted murderers align with the security risks they pose due to their serious crimes, criminal histories, and other relevant factors.
In late December, Biden removed 37 individuals from federal death row, changing their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The White House explained that this action aimed to prevent President-elect Donald Trump’s administration from “carrying out execution sentences that would not be imposed under current policy and practice.” The statement emphasized that Biden’s criminal justice record has positively impacted individual lives and communities, particularly those historically marginalized. The White House also indicated that Biden would continue to review additional pardons and commutations.
Biden left three mass killers on death row: Dylann Roof, who murdered nine people at a church in Charleston, South Carolina; Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing; and Robert Bowers, who attacked the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018.
Bondi made headlines last week when the DOJ filed a lawsuit against New York state, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James, accusing them of violating federal law by protecting illegal immigrants.
“This is a new DOJ,” Bondi declared at a news conference. “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. That stops today.”
Mark Schroeder, the commissioner of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, has also been implicated. Bondi referenced New York’s Green Light laws, which allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
These laws prevent certain federal agencies from accessing driver’s license information in New York State.
“They have green light laws, meaning they’re giving a green light to any illegal alien in New York, where law enforcement officers cannot verify their identity if they pull them over,” Bondi explained. “And law enforcement officers do not have access to their backgrounds. If these brave men and women pull someone over without access to their background, they have no idea who they’re dealing with, putting their lives at risk every single day.”
“If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable,” Bondi warned. “We did it to Illinois—strike one. Strike two is New York. And if you are a state not complying with federal law, you’re next. Get ready.”
Last week, the Justice Department also requested a federal judge to invalidate sanctuary laws in Chicago and Illinois.