Donald Trump criticized President Biden's decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole

President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will direct the Department of Justice to “vigorously pursue the death penalty” after President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates to life in prison.

The move spares the lives of people convicted in killings, including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals.

President-elect Trump promised to resume federal executions upon taking office for a second term after a moratorium on the practice.

President-elect Donald Trump said on social media he will direct the Justice Department to "vigorously pursue" the death penalty amid President Joe Biden's decision to commute the sentences of nearly all federal death row prisoners.

With just weeks left in office, US President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates - potentially thwarting President-elect Donald Trump's plans to expand federal executions during his upcoming administration.