WASHINGTON – FBI Director nominee Kash Patel slams former President Biden for commuting the sentence of Leonard Peltier who killed two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975.
Biden’s order moved Peltier, who has been in prison for 47 years, into home confinement.
Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic Illinois Senator Dick Durbin asked Patel during his confirmation hearing if he feels America is safer since President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,000 people convicted, charged or arrested of crimes at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021.
“I have not looked at all 1,600 individual cases. I have always advocated for imprisoning those who have caused harm to our law enforcement and civilian communities. I also believe America is not safer because of President Biden’s commutation of a man who murdered two FBI agents. Agent Colers’ and Agent Williams’ families deserve better than to have the man that at point blank range fired a shotgun into their heads and murdered them released from prison, so it goes both ways,” Patel said.
Biden says in a statement the 80-year-old Peltier is suffering from health issues and his commutation will enable him to spend his remaining days at home, but he has not pardoned him.
Former FBI Director Christopher Wray has advocated against his release or pardon, calling Peltier a “remorseless killer.”
Peltier, who was born on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota is serving life in prison for killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975 in South Dakota. FBI Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were shot in the head at close range, the FBI said. Peltier had a federal warrant for the attempted murder of a Milwaukee police officer. His trial was held in Fargo.
Biden cites tribal nations, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, former law enforcement officials (including the U.S. Attorney’s Office who saw Peltier’s prosecution and appeal), dozens of lawmakers, and human rights organizations supporting clemency for Peltier because of his age, illness, close ties to leadership in the Native American community and the 50 years he spent in prison as the reason for his commutation.
