Biden grants historic clemency, commutes 1,500 sentences, pardons 39
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The White House described the initiative as a step toward reuniting families, strengthening communities, and reintegrating rehabilitated individuals into society.
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President Joe Biden speaks at the White House Conference on Women's Health Research from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, December 11, 2024. (AP)
US news sources on Thursday reported that President Joe Biden carried out the largest single-day act of presidential clemency in modern US history, commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and granting pardons to 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes.
Observers say the sweeping move demonstrates Biden's commitment to criminal justice reform as he approaches the end of his term.
Historic Clemency Act
The White House described the initiative as a step toward reuniting families, strengthening communities, and reintegrating rehabilitated individuals into society.
The commutations primarily impacted individuals released under the Cares Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed thousands of federal prisoners to serve sentences in home confinement to curb the virus's spread in crowded facilities.
"These commutation recipients have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and have shown that they deserve a second chance," the White House said in a statement.
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The 39 pardons erase convictions for non-violent offenses, including drug-related crimes. Among those pardoned are a church deacon who became a youth and addiction counselor, a decorated military veteran, and a doctoral student in molecular biosciences.
"As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities," Biden said.
Criminal Justice Reform at the Forefront
Biden's clemency actions come amid Republican calls to send individuals on home confinement back to prison, despite evidence showing low rates of recidivism among those released under the Cares Act.
Criminal justice reform advocates have praised the program's success in reducing reoffending, contrasting it with higher recidivism rates in federal prisons.
The commutations also reflect Biden's broader efforts to address sentencing disparities, particularly for non-violent drug offenders, a legacy issue carried over from his time as vice president.
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The move brings Biden's clemency total to nearly 1,700 during his term, putting him within reach of Barack Obama's record of 1,927 clemency actions over two terms.
In contrast, Donald Trump issued only 144 pardons and 94 commutations, many of which were controversial, including acts of clemency for family members, close allies, and political advisors.
Hunter Biden Pardon Controversy
However, Biden's clemency record has not been without controversy. Earlier this month, the president issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for federal gun and tax convictions, drawing backlash from both political opponents and some Democratic allies.
A recent Associated Press poll found that only 20% of Americans approved of the move.
The White House has hinted that Biden plans to issue additional pardons and commutations before leaving office on January 20.
Advocates, including Pope Francis and anti-death penalty groups, have urged the president to commute the sentences of the 40 men on federal death row, many of whom fear a return of the death penalty under a Trump presidency.
Read more: Missouri executes Marcellus Williams despite prosecutors' objections
In the final weeks of his term, Biden faces calls to cement his legacy on criminal justice reform, balancing public scrutiny, political pressures, and the hope of second chances for thousands of Americans.
