Joe Biden has announced his intention to commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 non-violent offenders and pardon 39 others, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
The outgoing president emphasized that America was founded on the principles of possibility and giving second chances.
He expressed gratitude for being able to show mercy to individuals who have shown remorse and rehabilitation, particularly those convicted of non-violent drug offenses. He also mentioned efforts to address sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders.
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President Biden pardons son Hunter
Earlier this month, Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, despite previously stating he wouldn’t do so.
Hunter Biden was scheduled to be sentenced for federal gun charges and had pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion, according to Sky’s US partner network NBC News.
All 1,500 offenders are considered “non-violent” and have been on home confinement for at least a year under the CARES Act due to COVID-19, the White House confirmed.
These individuals have demonstrated successful rehabilitation and a dedication to improving their communities, with Biden expressing that they would receive lighter sentences if convicted today.
Some inmates were released from prisons during the pandemic due to the high infection rates among prisoners in US correctional facilities.
The 39 individuals who were pardoned had committed “non-violent crimes.”
Among them are a decorated military veteran who volunteers at a local church, a nurse leading disaster response efforts, and an addiction counselor working with young individuals.
Those who were pardoned had turned their lives around after being convicted of non-violent crimes such as drug offenses, as confirmed by White House lawyers.
Biden hinted at more clemency actions in the future and stated that he would continue to review pardon requests.
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President-elect Donald Trump hinting at retribution plans. Pic: Reuters
Biden and his team have discussed the possibility of issuing preemptive pardons for individuals targeted by president-elect Donald Trump, who has made hints about seeking retribution, according to NBC News sources.
Biden’s term ends on January 20, when Trump, who has been embroiled in various legal battles, will be inaugurated.
Before this announcement, the outgoing president had granted nearly 150 commutations and pardons, including for individuals convicted of marijuana possession on federal lands and former service members convicted under a repealed military ban on consensual homosexual intercourse.
Advocacy continues for Biden to pardon environmental and human rights lawyer Steven Donziger, who has been under house arrest for three years due to a contempt of court charge related to his representation of indigenous farmers in a lawsuit against Chevron.
There are also calls for Biden to commute the sentences of federal death row inmates.
The second largest single-day clemency act was carried out by former president Barack Obama, pardoning 330 individuals just before leaving office in 2017.