Deepa Shivaram

Yeah, I mean, there were a lot of calls for Biden to use his clemency powers for those on death row, from criminal justice advocates to people like Pope Francis. And it really bubbled up more after he pardoned his own son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of tax and gun charges. And after that happened, Biden used his clemency powers to pardon 39 people who had been convicted of nonviolent crimes.

He commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people who had been on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. But advocates considered those actions to be pretty small overall. And they were really waiting on Biden and calling on him to take this big step on the death penalty here. And I will say the reaction to this new announcement has been pretty positive so far.

He commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people who had been on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. But advocates considered those actions to be pretty small overall. And they were really waiting on Biden and calling on him to take this big step on the death penalty here. And I will say the reaction to this new announcement has been pretty positive so far.

He commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people who had been on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. But advocates considered those actions to be pretty small overall. And they were really waiting on Biden and calling on him to take this big step on the death penalty here. And I will say the reaction to this new announcement has been pretty positive so far.

Advocates like Bryan Stevenson, who is known for his advocacy for fighting for innocent folks on death row, praised Biden for his decision. And he said it sends a message that the death penalty isn't the answer to concerns about public safety.

Advocates like Bryan Stevenson, who is known for his advocacy for fighting for innocent folks on death row, praised Biden for his decision. And he said it sends a message that the death penalty isn't the answer to concerns about public safety.

Advocates like Bryan Stevenson, who is known for his advocacy for fighting for innocent folks on death row, praised Biden for his decision. And he said it sends a message that the death penalty isn't the answer to concerns about public safety.

Yeah, I mean, Biden took pretty sweeping action here on the death penalty compared to previous Democratic presidents. And he did kind of hint at the incoming Trump administration for why he made this decision. Back in 2021, Biden put a moratorium on federal executions, but that could have been undone by Trump.

Yeah, I mean, Biden took pretty sweeping action here on the death penalty compared to previous Democratic presidents. And he did kind of hint at the incoming Trump administration for why he made this decision. Back in 2021, Biden put a moratorium on federal executions, but that could have been undone by Trump.

Yeah, I mean, Biden took pretty sweeping action here on the death penalty compared to previous Democratic presidents. And he did kind of hint at the incoming Trump administration for why he made this decision. Back in 2021, Biden put a moratorium on federal executions, but that could have been undone by Trump.

And Biden said he didn't want to stand back and let a new administration resume executions that he halted. That's NPR White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram.

And Biden said he didn't want to stand back and let a new administration resume executions that he halted. That's NPR White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram.

And Biden said he didn't want to stand back and let a new administration resume executions that he halted. That's NPR White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram.

Officials from the FBI, Homeland Security, and the FAA said Saturday that they share public concern about the drones. but also think there has been some overreaction from the public. Officials said they're working with New Jersey State Police and other entities like the Coast Guard as they investigate.

Officials from the FBI, Homeland Security, and the FAA said Saturday that they share public concern about the drones. but also think there has been some overreaction from the public. Officials said they're working with New Jersey State Police and other entities like the Coast Guard as they investigate.

They also established a tip line that resulted in 5,000 tips, but less than 100 that they say was worth looking into. Officials could not say how long they expect the investigation to last. President-elect Donald Trump suggested on Friday in a post on Truth Social that the drones could be shot down, but officials did not speak to that possibility. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

They also established a tip line that resulted in 5,000 tips, but less than 100 that they say was worth looking into. Officials could not say how long they expect the investigation to last. President-elect Donald Trump suggested on Friday in a post on Truth Social that the drones could be shot down, but officials did not speak to that possibility. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

Karen Friedman-Egnifilo will represent Luigi Mangione in defending against murder charges related to the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. Friedman-Egnifilo was a prosecutor for much of her career.

Karen Friedman-Egnifilo will represent Luigi Mangione in defending against murder charges related to the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. Friedman-Egnifilo was a prosecutor for much of her career.

She was second-in-command at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted violent crimes, including those that had a mental health component, according to her law firm's bio. She currently works in private practice, and it happens to be the same law firm representing Sean Diddy Combs against criminal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.