ACLU Statement on Federal Executions Moratorium

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has issued a memorandum imposing a moratorium on federal executions while a review of the Justice Department’s policies and procedures is pending.

The following statement is from Cassandra Stubbs, director of the ACLU Capital Punishment Project:

“The ACLU commends this initial step of Attorney General Garland to suspend executions and order a review. The recognition by the Justice Department that the Constitution requires fair and humane treatment cannot be squared with the racist and arbitrary administration of the federal death penalty. To fulfill President’s Biden campaign pledge to work for the end of the death penalty, President Biden should commute all death sentences and impose a full moratorium on capital prosecutions.”