President Joe Biden’s commutation of Leonard Peltier’s sentence ignites outrage among FBI agents and law enforcement officials.
At a Glance
- Biden commuted Leonard Peltier’s life sentence, allowing him to serve the remainder in home confinement
- Peltier was convicted of murdering two FBI agents in 1975 and has been in prison for nearly 50 years
- The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) expressed profound disappointment and outrage over the decision
- Former FBI Director Christopher Wray strongly opposed the commutation
- Indigenous rights activists have long advocated for Peltier’s release, claiming his conviction was unjust
Biden’s Controversial Decision
In a move that has sparked significant controversy, President Joe Biden has commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist convicted of murdering two FBI agents in 1975. The decision allows Peltier to serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement, effectively releasing him from prison after nearly five decades behind bars.
What is wrong with former President Biden?
The White House statement regarding the commutation emphasized that this action does not exonerate Peltier of his crimes. “This commutation will enable Mr. Peltier to spend his remaining days in home confinement but will not pardon him for his underlying crimes,” Biden said.
It’s as good as a pardon – he’s leaving prison.
The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) reacted swiftly and strongly to the news, expressing profound disappointment and outrage over Biden’s decision. The association, which represents thousands of current and former FBI agents, views the commutation as a betrayal to the families of the fallen agents and a disservice to law enforcement as a whole.
“It is a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen agents and is a slap in the face of law enforcement,” the FBIAA stated.
The FBIAA described Biden’s action as a “last-second, disgraceful act” that, while not changing Peltier’s guilt, releases him from prison. The association emphasized the loss suffered by the families of the murdered agents, who were deprived of time and milestones with their loved ones.
Opposition from Former FBI Leadership
Former FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously expressed vehement opposition to any clemency for Peltier. In a strongly worded statement, Wray urged against the commutation, stating, “Mr. President, I urge you in the strongest terms possible: Do not pardon Leonard Peltier or cut his sentence short. It would be shattering to the victims’ loved ones and undermine the principles of justice and accountability that our government should represent.”
Wray described Peltier as a “remorseless killer” and emphasized the brutal nature of the murders of Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams. The former FBI Director argued that granting any relief to Peltier would be “wholly unjustified and would be an affront to the rule of law.”
Despite the strong opposition from law enforcement circles, Peltier’s case has long been a point of contention. Indigenous rights activists and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have advocated for his release, claiming his conviction was unjust and marred by prosecutorial misconduct.
At least 34 members of Congress and one of Biden’s Cabinet members had supported Peltier’s release. Supporters argue that evidence was falsified and that constitutional violations occurred during his trial. The controversy surrounding Peltier’s case highlights the complex intersection of justice, indigenous rights, and law enforcement accountability in America.
As the dust settles on this significant decision, the FBIAA has stated its intention to work with new leadership in Washington, D.C., to ensure that individuals convicted of violent crimes against law enforcement remain incarcerated.