On Good Friday, President Joe Biden is expected to attend church. During this time, I sincerely hope that his thoughts extend beyond the execution of Jesus and encompass a broader understanding of the significance of this day.
The discussion shifted to the use of nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method and the broader topic of the death penalty. Hoping for decisive action, I anticipated strong leadership from President Joe Biden. However, all we received was a brief statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She expressed, “The president has consistently voiced profound concerns about the implementation of the death penalty and its alignment with our values. Therefore, we are deeply troubled by the reports surrounding Kenneth Smith’s death.”
When tragedy strikes, the phrase “thoughts and prayers” is often used as an automatic response. However, it has become synonymous with indifference. The question arises, when do these thoughts and prayers translate into action? Similarly, the use of the word “troubled” by Jean-Pierre carries a similar connotation. In the past, describing a situation as “troubled” would inspire action. But in today’s world, it seems that the administration Jean-Pierre represents is so “troubled” that it has done nothing and appears to have no clear direction.
President Biden’s campaign website made a clear promise in 2020 to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level and encourage states to do the same. However, it seems that this commitment has not been fulfilled.
Executions are being carried out regularly, rather than providing any kind of leadership. The U.S. Justice Department is actively pursuing new death sentences, and a new execution method has been introduced that involves suffocating individuals to death. While these issues may not fall directly under Biden’s control, he had promised to make an effort to address them, yet we have yet to see any action.
As someone who serves as a spiritual advisor to individuals on death rows across the country, I have firsthand experience of the consequences of President Biden’s lack of action. I am dedicated to offering solace to those who are facing execution by their own government, and I tirelessly strive to prevent such occurrences. To me, these moments are not only needless and a squandering of resources, but they also contradict my deeply-held beliefs. Moreover, the practice of capital punishment is supported by flawed systems and fundamentally abhorrent. However, the discussions surrounding President Biden’s stance on this issue transcend mere objections and delve into legitimate concerns about governance failures in terms of fairness and timeliness.
On April 4, Michael Smith is set to be executed by the State of Oklahoma. My role will be to stand beside him, offering solace and support in the best way I can. Providing comfort is an integral part of my responsibility. It is disheartening to see that President Biden, who pledged to address the issue of death penalty, is not fulfilling his duty.
Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood ministers to individuals on death row throughout the country.
