Trump condemns Newsom’s mass commutation of California death sentences

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former President Donald Trump has criticised California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to commute the death sentences of hundreds of inmates, calling it a “disaster for Justice in America.”

In a statement, Trump wrote, “Gavin Newscum’s halting the Death Penalty for all 563 California Death Row inmates, some of the worst cold blooded murderers to have ever lived on the face of the Earth, is a disaster for Justice in America.”

He added that many of the inmates “can’t believe their luck in having a Governor so incompetent and insensitive that he would not let the long and winding legal system prevail,” and said the families of victims are “rightfully, devastated.”

Trump expressed hope that “this decision will be overturned.”

The remarks respond to Newsom’s announcement on November 5, 2026, that he would commute the death sentences of all remaining California death-row prisoners—approximately 548 people to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Newsom described the move as rooted in his long-standing opposition to capital punishment, stating that “state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values.”

California has not carried out an execution since 2006.

Newsom imposed a formal moratorium on executions shortly after taking office in 2019 and later dismantled the state’s execution chamber.

The recent commutations represent the largest single act of mass clemency in U.S. history involving death sentences.

Many of the cases still require review by the California Supreme Court because the state constitution mandates court approval for clemency granted to people with multiple felony convictions.

The decision has drawn strong reactions along familiar political lines, with supporters of the death penalty arguing it denies justice to victims’ families and opponents viewing it as a logical extension of the state’s de facto end to executions.

Newsom’s term ends in early 2027; his successor has indicated support for continuing the moratorium.