Hear me out.
If we left the death row guys in prison, they are wasting a bunch of resources in the system. And our death penalty takes too long to get to them.
Wouldn't it make sense to let them all out now and then deal with them lethally on the streets, either through the police or deportations?
Just a thought.
Commuting one's sentence on death row is different than a pardon. It means they no longer have an "end date", and will keep sucking our resources as long as they draw breath.
If, those are the ones you are referencing. Pretty sure the Prez cannot fully pardon someone on Death Row.
But, if they are put back in gen pop, that may end them quicker than waiting for a lethal cocktail, because of their heinous crimes.