President Donald Trump on Saturday attacked California Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to commute hundreds of death sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, calling the move a "disaster for Justice in America."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "Gavin Newscum's halting the Death Penalty for all 563 California Death Row inmates, some of the worst cold blooded murderers to have ever lived on the face of the Earth, is a disaster for Justice in America." He argued that the Democratic governor's decision disregarded victims' families and prevented the legal process from running its course, adding: "The family members of those who were so viciously killed are, rightfully, devastated. Hopefully this decision will be overturned!"
Trump cited a figure of 563 inmates, a number that does not match the 548 people identified by Newsom's office. Newsom announced on November 5 that he intends to commute the death sentences of 548 people — 529 men and 19 women — to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
If approved, the plan would be the largest mass commutation of death sentences in U.S. history and would reduce the national death-row population by nearly 30 percent. The proposed commutations would not overturn convictions, release anyone, or make anyone eligible for parole, and they would leave every conviction and restitution order in place.
The commutations have not yet taken effect, because required legal steps remain. Under the California Constitution, a governor must obtain a recommendation from at least four justices of the state Supreme Court before granting clemency to anyone with more than one felony conviction — a requirement that applies to 382 of the 548 individuals. Newsom, who is term-limited, has asked the court to act by the end of this year so he can complete the process before leaving office in January.
Newsom, who has opposed capital punishment throughout his political career, imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019. California has not carried out an execution since January 17, 2006. The plan already faces a legal challenge: the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, joined by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, is contesting Newsom's sweeping use of clemency powers.
