Biden Grants Pardons to 39 Americans and Reduces Sentences for 1,500
US President Joe Biden has granted pardons to 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent offenses and reduced the sentences of nearly 1,500 others.
The White House called this the largest single-day release of presidential clemency acts. However, the identities of the individuals affected have not been disclosed.
The US Constitution grants the president the authority to issue “reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”
Earlier this month, Biden controversially pardoned his son, Hunter, continuing a trend where presidents pardon those close to them.
Biden stated that the individuals granted clemency had “demonstrated successful rehabilitation and a commitment to strengthening and securing their communities.” Their convictions primarily involved non-violent offenses such as drug-related crimes.
The commuted sentences benefited individuals who were placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and were serving sentences deemed excessively long under outdated laws.
“They have proven they deserve a second chance,” Biden remarked.
The White House also revealed that the recipients of clemency included a decorated military veteran and pilot who assisted fellow church members, a nurse involved in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and an addiction counselor.
Biden promised to take “further actions in the coming weeks.”
The president is set to leave the White House on January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as his successor.
Historically, Biden has pardoned fewer individuals than most modern US presidents.
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However, he has issued some categorical pardons, which cover a wide group of individuals defined by the president.
In October 2022, Biden granted a full pardon for those convicted of simple marijuana possession, later expanding it to cover other marijuana-related offenses.
Earlier this year, Biden also pardoned military members and veterans convicted due to their sexual orientation.
During his first term, President Trump granted 237 clemency actions, including 143 pardons and 94 commuted sentences, with many issued just before he left office.
Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son Hunter continued a pattern of presidents across political parties, including Trump, offering clemency to their close associates.
Hunter Biden was facing sentencing for two criminal charges.
This action has sparked controversy, as the outgoing president had previously ruled out such a move, but argued that the cases against his son were politically motivated.
Biden has also considered issuing pre-emptive pardons for prominent critics of his successor Trump, to protect them from potential retaliation after Trump takes office, though he has expressed concerns about the implications of setting such a precedent.
Biden Grants Pardons to 39 Americans and Reduces Sentences for 1,500
