Biden Grants Largest Single-Day Pardon in U.S. History: 2,500 Drug Sentences Commuted
Outgoing President describes the unprecedented move as a significant step towards rectifying historical injustices.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Friday the commutation of sentences for around 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses.
The White House lauded this as the largest single-day pardon initiative in the history of the United States.
In a statement reported by Agence France-Presse, President Biden noted that those affected by the decision were serving 'disproportionately long sentences' compared to what they might receive under contemporary sentencing guidelines.
Describing the decision as a 'significant step towards rectifying historical wrongs and addressing sentencing disparities,' Biden emphasized the importance of giving deserving individuals the opportunity to reunite with their families.
The outgoing President remarked, 'With this action, I have now granted more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in the history of the United States.' He also indicated the possibility of further clemency actions before handing over power to the incoming President, Donald Trump, on Monday.
Last month, Biden had already commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 inmates who were placed under home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with 39 individuals convicted of non-violent offenses.
Controversy surrounded Biden, who is 82, following his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden was facing charges related to firearm possession and tax evasion, despite the President’s previous vow not to intervene.
Additionally, in the preceding month, Biden commuted federal death sentences for 37 of the 40 individuals condemned, as the transition to Trump’s presidency approached.
President Trump's first administration recorded the highest number of executions in recent history.
Three individuals convicted federally of terrorism or hate crimes remain on death row.
They include Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings; Dylann Roof, who killed nine African American churchgoers in Charleston; and Robert Bowers, responsible for the deaths of 11 worshippers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The White House lauded this as the largest single-day pardon initiative in the history of the United States.
In a statement reported by Agence France-Presse, President Biden noted that those affected by the decision were serving 'disproportionately long sentences' compared to what they might receive under contemporary sentencing guidelines.
Describing the decision as a 'significant step towards rectifying historical wrongs and addressing sentencing disparities,' Biden emphasized the importance of giving deserving individuals the opportunity to reunite with their families.
The outgoing President remarked, 'With this action, I have now granted more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in the history of the United States.' He also indicated the possibility of further clemency actions before handing over power to the incoming President, Donald Trump, on Monday.
Last month, Biden had already commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 inmates who were placed under home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with 39 individuals convicted of non-violent offenses.
Controversy surrounded Biden, who is 82, following his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden was facing charges related to firearm possession and tax evasion, despite the President’s previous vow not to intervene.
Additionally, in the preceding month, Biden commuted federal death sentences for 37 of the 40 individuals condemned, as the transition to Trump’s presidency approached.
President Trump's first administration recorded the highest number of executions in recent history.
Three individuals convicted federally of terrorism or hate crimes remain on death row.
They include Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings; Dylann Roof, who killed nine African American churchgoers in Charleston; and Robert Bowers, responsible for the deaths of 11 worshippers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.