President Trump condemned California Gov. Gavin Newsom for “defying voters” after he announced he will sign an executive order to halt the death penalty in the Golden State.
“Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers,” Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. “Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!”
Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers. Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019
California voters voted on a ballot initiative to expedite executions instead of ending the death penalty in 2016, but Newsom issued a statement on Tuesday outlining his opposition to the practice. “I do not believe that a civilized society can claim to be a leader in the world as long as its government continues to sanction the premeditated and discriminatory execution of its people,” Newsom said.
The executive order that Newsom is poised to make will provide a reprieve for the 737 people facing the death penalty in California. The number accounts for approximately 25 percent of the nation’s death row inmates.
The moratorium on executions will endure while Newsom remains governor of California and his successor could reverse course.
Despite the moratorium, Newsom has not abolished the death penalty — that can only be done through the state legislature or voter initiative.
Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Oregon have already outlawed the death penalty in their states.
