Bernard’s case attracted attention from Democratic lawmakers and celebrity activists, who pleaded with Mr. Trump to commute his sentence to life in prison because of newly-discovered evidence.
Since the Trump administration resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, Democrats have largely been mum about the eight federal inmates put to death so far. But they say the case of Brandon Bernard is different because newly uncovered evidence raises questions about his role in the murders.
In a joint statement, Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois called on the president to commute Bernard’s sentence.