Newsom commutes sentences of 548 Californias death inmates before leaving office
A move before leaving office
Newsom is preparing to conclude his eight-year tenure as California governor. He enacted a moratorium on executions in 2019, but hundreds of condemned people remained on death row.
The state constitution requires California Supreme Court approval for clemency for anyone convicted of multiple felonies. Voters rejected a ballot measure to repeal the death penalty in 2016.
ACLU backs announcement
The American Civil Liberties Union applauded Newsom’s announcement. The group is involved in a continuing legal challenge to California’s death penalty statute. The ACLU alleges that the law is racially discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Political future remains in view
Newsom, California’s 40th governor, is known for online clashes with Donald Trump, including all-capital X posts that mock Trump’s style. He has long been viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, and prediction markets have placed his likelihood of becoming the Democratic nominee as high as 40 percent.
In September, Newsom said he would not run if former Vice President Kamala Harris ran for president for a third time. He said his children would have the final say on a 2028 bid, and argued that two California Democrats competing could divide their shared base and benefit other candidates. Newsom endorsed Harris after former President Joe Biden left the 2024 race.
Key points
- Newsom moved to commute the sentences of California’s 548 death row inmates before leaving office.
- He imposed an execution moratorium in 2019, but hundreds of condemned people remained.
- The ACLU applauded the announcement and is challenging California’s death penalty statute.
- Newsom has said his children would have the final say on a possible 2028 presidential run.