Biden Marks Historic Day with 39 Pardons and Nearly 1,500 Sentence Commutations

In a landmark decision, President Biden utilizes presidential powers to commute sentences and issue pardons to non-violent offenders.

In a move described as unprecedented, President Joe Biden has granted presidential pardons to 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted nearly 1,500 additional sentences, marking the most clemency actions taken in a single day in U.S. history. While the identities of those pardoned have not been revealed, the White House emphasized the significance of rehabilitation and community contribution among the recipients.

The U.S. Constitution allows presidents to grant reprieves and pardons except in cases of impeachment. Earlier this month, Biden attracted attention for a controversial pardon of his son Hunter. This followed a recent trend among U.S. presidents, where clemency has been granted to individuals within their personal or political spheres. Biden stated that those who received clemency had demonstrated “successful rehabilitation” and were committed to enhancing their communities, with many of the convictions involving drug-related offenses.

Biden's clemency actions also included commuting the sentences of numerous individuals who had been placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The president assessed these sentences to be excessively lengthy under archaic laws, emphasizing that the individuals “deserved a second chance.”

Noteworthy among those pardoned are a decorated military veteran, a nurse who played a crucial role in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and an addiction counselor. During a press briefing, Biden promised that more clemency actions would follow in the coming weeks. The president, who will end his term on January 20, 2025, has previously been known for issuing fewer pardons than many of his modern predecessors, although he has made some significant categorical pardons in the past, particularly concerning marijuana-related offenses.

In contrast, former President Trump issued a total of 237 clemency actions during his first term, with 143 pardons, many granted as he left office. The recent pardon for Hunter Biden was met with mixed reactions, as Biden's administration previously deemed the legal actions against his son to be politically motivated. There is speculation that Biden may consider pre-emptive pardons for critics of Trump to shield them from potential retaliation under the new administration.