This week, President Biden made a historic move by commuting the sentences of most of the people currently on federal death row to life imprisonment without parole. The decision is an important acknowledgment of the deep flaws in the death penalty system, which is plagued by racial and geographic disparities. It also comes at a crucial moment, as President-elect Trump has vowed to increase federal executions upon his return to office despite growing concerns over the fairness and humanity of capital punishment. We break down the biggest problems with the federal death penalty and explain why clemency was the right call.

Earlier this month, Biden commuted the sentences of 1,500 people on home confinement and pardoned dozens convicted of nonviolent crimes. It’s another welcome step toward ensuring a fairer criminal justice system, but the work is far from done: Many more individuals, including those serving long, racially biased drug sentences, still deserve clemency. Before leaving office, Biden can use his power to deliver justice and mercy to those who have been unjustly incarcerated.

Trump has outlined controversial policies for his second term that could spark widespread protests, from restrictions on abortion pills to mass deportations. But the Federal Protective Service — a little-known law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security with a troubling history of overreach — could play a central role in cracking down on opposition. To protect the public’s First Amendment rights, Congress must act quickly to limit the agency’s power and implement safeguards against abuse.

The results of the 2024 House races illustrate both the damage of gerrymandering and the benefits of redistricting reforms. This year, competition was scarce, especially in states where politicians controlled the map-drawing process. In Georgia and North Carolina, for example, post-2022 Republican gerrymanders played a crucial role in helping the GOP hold on to the House. Our analysis lays out how voting maps made a difference and what trends to watch for in future battles for the majority.

A new analysis by the Brennan Center and its partners reveals that online political ads on Google and Meta surged in the final stretch before the 2024 election, pushing total digital ad spending for the cycle to $1.35 billion on those services. Much of this spike came from candidates ramping up fundraising efforts and national groups pouring money into campaigns aimed at influencing state ballot measures. However, the picture of online political spending remains murky due to the lack of transparency and weak disclosure rules on these platforms.

President-elect Trump has declared his intent to launch the biggest mass deportation scheme in U.S. history, in part by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on his first day in office. This outdated law was last used to intern tens of thousands of foreign nationals of Japanese, German, and Italian descent during World War II. Does Trump have the power to carry out his plans? And can we rely on Congress or the courts to stop him? In our latest podcast episode, a panel of experts discusses the Alien Enemies Act and its shameful history, how the incoming administration plans to use this antiquated law, and what obstacles might stand in their way. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform, or watch on YouTube.