US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he would order his Justice Department to "vigorously pursue" the death penalty to protect Americans from "violent rapists, murderers, and monsters". Notably, Trump will be assuming office as the President of America on January 20.

Trump's remark came in response to President Joe Biden's announcement on Monday that he had commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal inmates on death row, converting them to life in prison without parole.

"As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters," Trump said.

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Trump reinstated federal executions during his first term from 2017 to 2021, following a nearly 20-year suspension. In contrast, Biden, who opposed the death penalty during his campaign, put a stop to federal executions upon taking office in January 2021.

Unlike executive orders, clemency decisions cannot be reversed by a president's successor, although the death penalty can be sought more aggressively in future cases.
 
Earlier on Monday, the Trump transition team had denounced Biden's decision, calling it abhorrent and favoring convicts who are "among the worst killers in the world."
 
 (With inputs from agency)