Gov. Newsom Commutes Death Sentences
California's governor commuted 548 death row sentences to life without parole.
November 5, 2026 · Updated Nov 5, 8:39pm ET
CNNNewsom commutes sentences of all California death row prisoners
CBS NewsCalifornia death row sentences to be commuted to life without parole, Newsom says
FOX NewsGavin Newsom wipes out California's death row in historic mass commutation
Los Angeles TimesCommentary: Newsom wants to empty death row. Most politicians wouldn’t bother — or dare
UPIGov. Newsom moves to commute all 548 death sentences in Calif.
New York PostGavin Newsom lets all of California’s 548 death row inmates escape ultimate punishment
The GuardianGavin Newsom commutes more than 500 death sentences in California
ABC NewsGov. Newsom says he will commute all death sentences in state to life without parole
World News GroupGavin Newsom to commute death sentence for 548 prisoners
PBS NewsHourNewsom says he will commute all 548 of California's death sentences to life without parole
Associated PressCalifornia Gov. Newsom says he will commute all death sentences in state to life without parole
Deseret NewsGavin Newsom commutes sentences of more than 500 California death row inmates
Boston GlobeNewsom commutes the sentences of California’s 548 death row inmates
BBC NewsCalifornia Gov Newsom commutes death sentences for all 548 people on death row
The Center SquareNewsom commutes death sentences for all 548 on death row
Al JazeeraCalifornia governor commutes sentences of more than 500 people on death row
NewsNationNewsom to commute all 548 death row inmates to life without parole
Washington TimesGavin Newsom commutes all California death sentences to life in prison
Mother JonesGavin Newsom has commuted the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere
NBC NewsCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom commutes all death sentences
Washington ExaminerNewsom commutes executions for all 548 California inmates on death row
HuffPostGavin Newsom Moves To Commute Every Person On California’s Death Row
AxiosNewsom moves to empty California's death row as 2028 looms
Just the NewsCalifornia Dem Gov Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences in state to life in prison without parole
MEDIAiteNewsom Declares Death Penalty ‘Incompatible With California’s Values,’ Commutes All of State’s Death Sentences to Life in Prison
Straight Arrow NewsGavin Newsom commutes all California death sentences
The BlazeGavin Newsom says death penalty is 'incompatible' with California values in massive commutation announcement
SlateGavin Newsom’s Clemency Is a Game Changer for America’s Death Penalty
The HillCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom to commute all death sentences in state
Breitbart NewsNewsom Moves to Commute All 548 California Death Sentences to Life
Raw StoryMAGA erupts over Newsom’s ‘unbelievably disgusting’ move: 'Justice doesn't matter'
The Marshall ProjectGavin Newsom Issues Commutations for All 548 Californians Facing Execution
Daily CallerDem Governor Enacts Largest Death Row Mass Commutation In US History
MS NOWGavin Newsom says he will spare all death row inmates in California
The Washington SunNewsom Spares Hundreds of Death Row Inmates in One of His Final Acts as Governor
The Post MillennialBREAKING: Gavin Newsom commutes ALL death sentences for California's 548 death row inmates
38%
Left · 18
27%
Center · 13
35%
Right · 17
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
Updated Nov 5, 8:39pm ET- California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom40th governor of California since 2019 announced Thursday that he is commuting all 548 death sentences in the state to life in prison without parole. - Newsom said the death penalty cannot be applied fairly, risks executing innocent people and conflicts with California’s values.
- California last executed a prisoner in 2006, and Newsom formally paused executions in 2019 after taking office.
- The action does not repeal California’s death penalty or stop prosecutors from seeking death sentences in future cases.
- The California Supreme CourtSupreme Court of Californiathe highest court of the U.S. state of California must approve 382 of the commutations involving people with multiple felony convictions before those changes become final, according to Newsom’s office.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the decision’s historic scale and Newsom’s moral objections to executions. CNN highlighted the ACLU’s praise for a “historic step,” while The Guardian stressed protection from execution under future governors; a Los Angeles Times commentary called the move a “courageous stand.”
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets emphasized the condemned prisoners’ crimes and anger among victims’ families. Fox News highlighted criticism from victims’ advocates, while the New York Post described inmates escaping “ultimate punishment” and interviewed a slain officer’s mother; Breitbart highlighted a bereaved mother calling the decision “a slap in the face.”
California Death Penalty
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Nov 6Prosecutors Condemn Gov. Newsom’s Death CommutationsLeans Right
- Nov 5Gov. Newsom Commutes Death Sentences (this story)Balanced
