Biden frees radical left-wing killer convicted in FBI agents' murders during last hours as president

Recently, before his term ended, President Joe Biden decided to commute the life sentence of Leonard Peltier. Peltier, a left-wing activist, was found guilty of the murders of FBI special agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler in 1975 during a shootout in South Dakota.

Peltier’s request for parole was rejected in July. Previous Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also turned down his pleas for clemency. However, Peltier had support from notable Democrats such as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, as well as former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

This decision angered the FBI Agents Association and came shortly after FBI Director Christopher Wray urged Biden not to release Peltier.

“The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) is outraged by President Biden’s decision to commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a convicted cop killer responsible for the brutal murders of FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams,” FBIAA President Natalie Bara told Fox News Digital. “This last-second, disgraceful act by then-President Biden, which does not change Peltier’s guilt but does release him from prison, is cowardly and lacks accountability. It is a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen Agents and is a slap in the face of law enforcement.”

On June 26, 1975, Williams and Coler were looking for a group of armed robbery suspects in the Oglala Sioux Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Although Peltier wasn’t one of them, he was traveling in a vehicle that caught the agents’ attention.

The agents weren’t aware that Peltier was also the subject of an arrest warrant for the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer in Wisconsin.

President Biden Delivers Farewell Address To The Nation

Former President Joe Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on January 15, 2025 in Washington, DC.  (Mandel Ngan/Getty Images)

According to court documents, Williams warned Coler over the radio that someone in the vehicle was about to start shooting at them. Gunfire erupted. Both agents were wounded. According to the FBI, both agents were executed with point-blank gunshots to the head from Peltier’s AR-15.

Coler, originally from Bakersfield, California, had been an LAPD officer before joining the FBI in 1971. Williams was also a California native, from Glendale. He joined the FBI in 1972.

“The pardon of Leonard Peltier is not an act of justice but an abandonment of it,” said Nicole Parker, a former FBI agent who lost two colleagues of her own to line-of-duty violence.

“I myself lost my dearest friend and colleague, FBI Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger, and Special Agent Daniel Alfin when they were murdered February 2, 2021, executing a search warrant to stop a child predator,” she told Fox News Digital. “The crushing heartbreak of losing mighty warriors who selflessly protect others is indescribable.”

Leonard Peltier sits on a desk while holding a painting toward the camera

A 1985 prison portrait of American Indian Movement (AIM) activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted in 1976 of the murders of FBI agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler.  (MPI/Getty Images)

Four men were arrested in their deaths, but only Peltier was convicted, according to the FBI. The government dropped charges against James Eagle, the robbery suspect Williams and Coler were looking for at the start of the shootout. Two other men, Robert Robideau and Darrelle Butler, were acquitted at trial in 1976. 

After his release from federal prison, he is expected to be placed on house arrest.

“Agents Coler and Williams gave their lives in service to this nation, and their families continue to bear the heavy burden of that sacrifice,” Bara said. “The loss of these heroes is felt as deeply today within the FBI family as it was in 1975. Leonard Peltier has never expressed remorse for his actions. Special Agents Coler and Williams were stolen from their families, robbed of the chance to share precious time and milestones with their loved ones. Leonard Peltier should not have been granted a mercy he so cruelly denied to the Coler and Williams families.”

You May Also Like
Iran, US begin negotiations over Tehran's advancing nuclear program

Iran and the US start talks regarding Tehran’s progressing nuclear activities

Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. commenced in Oman on the weekend…
Michelle Obama Reveals Why She Skipped Trump’s Inauguration – and It’s As Self-Absorbed As You’d Imagine

Reasons Michelle Obama Skipped Trump’s Inauguration – It’s Just Like You’d Think

Michelle Obama finally revealed why she failed to attend President Trump’s second…
New FBI Chicago Field Office Special Agent in Charge Doug DePodesta says he returned home to help keep city safe | ABC7 EXCLUSIVE

Exclusive: New Head of FBI Chicago Office, Doug DePodesta, Returns Home to Ensure City’s Safety

CHICAGO (WLS) — There’s a new special agent in charge of the…
Watch 'Francis: The People's Pope'

View the documentary ‘Francis: The People’s Pope’

The ABC Owned Television Stations are highlighting local communities across the country…
Virginia Giuffre, who accused Britain's Prince Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal, has died

Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal, has passed away

Virginia Giuffre, who previously accused Prince Andrew of sexually exploiting her as…
Flight crew delayed asking for medical help for man in crisis who later died, lawsuit alleges

Lawsuit alleges flight crew caused delay in seeking medical assistance for man who later died

A lawsuit states that a 62-year-old man passed away after experiencing a…
Justin Bieber hits out at Hollywood 'bullies' in concerning post as he puts on united front with wife Hailey

Justin Bieber stands up against Hollywood ‘bullies’ in a worrying post while showing solidarity with wife Hailey

Justin Bieber shared a bold message on Friday, criticizing ‘Hollywood bullies’ following…
Democrats' New Scheme to Bully El Salvador Into Sending MS-13 Gangbanger Garcia Back to U.S.

Democratic Plan to Pressure El Salvador to Return MS-13 Gang Member Garcia to the United States

When it comes down to it, Democrats are essentially seen as typical…
Humiliating NFL Draft moment as Shedeur Sanders' dreams are crushed by brutal prank call

Shedeur Sanders faces an embarrassing prank call that crushes his NFL Draft dreams

Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft nightmare took a cruel twist Friday when his…
‘North Of North’s Dogsledding Fetish Sex Scene Is One Of A Kind — And Even Had Star Anna Lambe Feeling “Mortified”

“Unique Dogsledding Sex Scene in ‘North Of North’ Leaves Star Anna Lambe Feeling Embarrassed”

It might be cold in Ice Cove, Nunavut — but North of…
Pete Hegseth Brags That Terrorists Have Had a Bad Three Weeks, Signals It’s About to Get a Lot Worse

Hegseth Angers Democrats, Especially Susan Rice, with Advisory Board Decision

You have to hand it to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.  Despite…
Ana Navarro Shades Donald Trump After Alyssa Farrah Griffin Claims Straight Men Do Not Wear Makeup: “Has Anybody Met Donald Trump?”

Ana Navarro Throws Shade at Donald Trump in Response to Alyssa Farrah Griffin’s Claim That Straight Men Don’t Wear Makeup: “Has Anyone Seen Donald Trump?”

The hosts of The View were full of compliments for John Cena…