United States President Joe Biden has announced that he has commuted the sentences of 1,499 individuals and granted 39 pardons, marking the largest single-day clemency action in U.S. history.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to those who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation.”
The individuals who received commutations were placed in home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic and have successfully reintegrated into their communities, according to the White House. The pardons, meanwhile, were granted for non-violent offences, including drug-related charges.
Among those pardoned are a decorated military veteran, a nurse who has led emergency disaster responses, and an addiction counsellor who volunteers in his community.
The announcement comes on the heels of Biden’s December 1 pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax evasion and federal gun charges. The pardon has sparked bipartisan criticism, with some accusing Biden of using his presidential power for personal reasons.
Biden defended the decision, stating his son had been “singled out” due to his family name and that the justice process had been tainted by “raw politics.”
Biden’s record-breaking clemency aligns with a tradition of outgoing presidents issuing pardons during their final days in office. However, speculation remains about whether Biden will issue blanket pardons for close allies or federal death row inmates before handing over power to President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
When asked about potential preemptive pardons, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to provide details, stating only that Biden would continue reviewing clemency petitions.
As Biden prepares to leave office, Trump has pledged to pardon some or all of the individuals jailed for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump described the rioters as having suffered gravely and vowed to address their cases in his first hour as president.
