Attorney General Todd Blanche called it “unfortunate” that Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted the sentences of 548 individuals on death row in the state of California.
“I feel badly for the families of the victims that had justice served according to the laws and now have a different result,” Blanche told Townhall during a Thursday press conference, noting that similar action was taken during the Biden administration at the federal level.
“IT’S UNFORTUNATE.” AG Todd Blanche calls out Gavin Newsom’s death-row commutations after a question from Townhall’s Cameron Arcand. Blanche backs President Trump on capital punishment and says he feels badly for “the families of the victims” who “now have a different result.” https://t.co/aWfjvNZ7I3
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 12, 2026
“I think that President Trump has talked a lot about the need for capital punishment, especially with certain types of crimes and certain types of murder, and I very much agree with President Trump on that,” he said, noting that many governors do hold the legal capability to take actions similar to what Newsom did.
In a November 5 letter to Californians, he wrote that “we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency.”
“This decision is among the most difficult of my career, not because I doubt its necessity for our state but because I know its announcement may surface excruciating memories for victims’ families,” he wrote. “I deeply respect the views of those who will strongly disagree with my decision, including some families of victims who have suffered the worst possible loss.”
The decision has created a hot legal debate in the Golden State, as groups like the American Civil Liberties Union praised the move, while others, such as the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, are hoping to fight it.
“These commutations reflect what justice demands: an end to a racist, error-prone, and inhumane punishment that has burdened California for far too long,” ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romeo said in a November 5 statement.
“The governor is a big fat liar” “Justice was ripped away” “Newsom let our family down” Livid crime victims, family members whose loved ones were murdered, district attorneys, and law enforcement officials gathered at the California State Capitol today to oppose Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to commute the death sentences of all 548 people on California’s death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They say neither the governor nor a member of the Newsom Administration reached out to them before he made his announcement. Those who spoke said they learned about his decision by watching / reading the news. They have officially filed a legal challenge in court, arguing Newsom failed to individually review each case and notify prosecutors. @SenRogerNiello (R-Fair Oaks) with this message: “Governor Newsom believes that this action is one of compassion. But it shows absolutely no compassion to the families of the victims.”
— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) November 13, 2026
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and the CJLF argue that most of the commuted individuals would need approval from the state Supreme Court to have their death sentence scrapped, as 348 of them have beyond just the single criminal conviction.
“Blanket commutations represent an abdication of the Governor’s responsibility to evaluate each case on its merits,” Hochman said in a Thursday statement.
“Each one of these cases leaves behind a victim’s family that went through agonizing proceedings for years or decades, reliving the tragedies that befell their loved ones over and over until they finally thought they had achieved some level of closure and finality — only to have it violently disrupted,” the district attorney added.
As for Newsom, he is nearing the end of his term, as Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra will take office on January 4.
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy Townhall's conservative reporting exposing the radical left and woke media? Support our work so we can keep bringing you the truth.
Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
