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Democrats Insult American Victims Again

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This is just crazy.

As outgoing Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina made his exit from office, he issued a controversial decision that caught the attention of both local and national observers. Cooper, a Democrat with ambitions for higher office, commuted the death sentences of 15 individuals on the state’s death row. His actions echo a broader trend among left-wing leaders, including President Joe Biden, who recently commuted the sentences of nearly 40 federal death row inmates.

Cooper’s statement on the matter was a mix of solemnity and justification: “These reviews are among the most difficult decisions a governor can make, and the death penalty is the most severe sentence the state can impose.” He continued, explaining that after “thorough review, reflection, and prayer,” he concluded that the death sentences of these 15 men should be commuted to life imprisonment without parole. For many in the state, Cooper’s decision felt like a political maneuver aimed at cementing his reputation as a champion of criminal justice reform—at the cost of public safety.

Notably, Cooper’s decision impacts inmates like Hasson Bacote, who had challenged his death sentence on the grounds of racial bias under North Carolina’s Racial Justice Act. Bacote, a Black man convicted of murder by a jury in the predominantly White Johnston County, was one of those granted a reprieve. Others, such as Rayford Burke and Christopher Roseboro, also had their sentences reduced, some citing similar racial justice arguments.

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North Carolina has not executed anyone since 2006 due to ongoing legal battles over the death penalty, and it seems unlikely that this trend will change soon. But the move to commute sentences raises serious questions about the reliability and fairness of the justice system. It’s one thing to show mercy for those who genuinely seek rehabilitation, but many of these inmates have committed heinous crimes that devastated their victims and communities.

Cooper’s decision also mirrors President Biden’s own controversial actions. Biden, in a bid to position himself as a progressive leader, recently commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, claiming it was part of a broader effort to reform the criminal justice system. Biden has made it clear that he believes the federal government should phase out the death penalty, reserving its use only for cases involving terrorism and mass murder. This stance has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Republicans, who argue that such actions undermine the deterrent effect of capital punishment and jeopardize public safety.

Republican leaders argue that these commutations are part of a dangerous trend toward leniency for violent criminals. They see these decisions as signs of a growing soft-on-crime mentality among liberal politicians, which could embolden criminals and further destabilize already struggling communities. These actions are deeply unpopular with many law-abiding citizens who view them as an affront to justice, especially when the victims of these criminals had no chance at mercy.

As Cooper’s tenure ends, he leaves behind a controversial legacy of commutations, furthering the debate on the death penalty, criminal justice reform, and the role of government in punishing violent offenders. His actions may have earned him praise from progressives, but to conservatives, they represent a misguided step away from justice and accountability. With Cooper out of office and Josh Stein taking the helm as the new governor, it remains to be seen whether North Carolina will continue down this path or return to a more tough-on-crime approach that prioritizes victims and public safety.