The mass clemency transitions every condemned prisoner to a life sentence without the possibility of parole, building on an executive moratorium established back in 2019. While the American Civil Liberties Union commended the action, the governor recognized that the measure would cause significant distress to many residents. For nearly 400 inmates with multiple felony convictions, the commutations remain contingent on approval from at least four California Supreme Court justices. The move also highlights an ongoing national split, contrasting with revived federal executions.
Key points
The sweeping executive action is anticipated by legal experts to save millions of dollars…: The sweeping executive action is anticipated by legal experts to save millions of dollars each year in court-related costs.
Capital punishment remains deeply divided across the country, remaining legal in 27 state…: Capital punishment remains deeply divided across the country, remaining legal in 27 states while abolished in 23 states and Washington, D.C.
California's mass clemency stands in direct contrast to federal policy under President Do…: California's mass clemency stands in direct contrast to federal policy under President Donald Trump, who reinstated the federal death penalty in 2025.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
California governor commutes sentences for state's 548 death row inmates
California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted the death sentences of all 548 people on death row in the state, changing them instead to life in prison.
"We can now let these offenders die in obscurity while we forever remember and honour the victims," he said in a letter.
The decision to spare death row inmates is largely symbolic in a state that has not executed an inmate since 2006, though experts say it could save millions of dollars in court costs each year. Only 13 inmates have been executed since voters reinstated the death penalty in 1978.
The decision comes as Newsom, the Democratic leader of the most populous US state, has been discussed as a possible 2028 contender for president.
Newsom, who is term limited, is winding down his final months in office. Fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra is projected to take over after the midterm elections on Tuesday.
Newsom explained in his letter that he is exercising his constitutional clemency authority to commute the sentences to life without the…
Election officials are still tallying ballots across the country as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress and Republicans evaluate their significant losses. With the broader balance of power shifting, every outstanding contest remains critical to establishing the final congressional majorities. Ongoing reporting continues to monitor these high-stakes outcomes as final results are determined.
The White House hosted representatives from both warring nations to mark a temporary six-day pause in the occupied city of Oleshky that enabled civilian evacuations. The diplomatic event comes as the administration prepares to lead comprehensive peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi next week. However, foreign policy analysts caution that celebrating the deal risks creating a false equivalency and normalizing Russian aggression.
Harmeet Dhillon will vacate her leadership post within the federal government, marking a prominent transition for domestic law enforcement leadership. Concurrently, diplomatic and security challenges emerged across Europe and Washington on Thursday. These distinct events signal critical leadership turnover alongside ongoing regional security concerns.