President Joe Biden Announces Commutations and Pardons for Over 1,500 Individuals and 39 People Convicted of Non-Violent Crimes
President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that he is commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
The individuals whose sentences are being commuted were placed on home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic and have demonstrated a clear commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities. The 39 people being pardoned were convicted of non-violent crimes and have demonstrated records of meaningfully giving back to the country.
The announcement is a significant use of the presidential clemency power and comes as Biden faces growing pressure to grant more clemencies before he leaves office. The president has promised that additional action will be announced in the weeks to come.
The pardons and commutations were hailed by human rights activists, advocacy groups, Democratic lawmakers, and the families of those receiving the clemency. The recipients include a decorated military veteran, a nurse who helped during natural disasters, and an addiction counselor recognized for his dedication to mentoring young men of color.
The announcement is seen as a major step towards reforming the criminal justice system, which has been criticized for its harsh sentencing laws and racial disparities. Biden has previously pardoned military veterans convicted of having gay sex and those convicted of marijuana possession.
The president’s announcement comes after intense advocacy from criminal justice and civil rights groups, who had been pushing for more action on clemency before Biden leaves office. The groups had been in contact with the White House, including the White House Counsel’s office and the Domestic Policy Council, to discuss their concerns.
While the announcement is seen as a significant step forward, some are calling for more action. An official from a pro-clemency group said that while they were “pleasantly surprised” by the announcement, they still want to see more commutations that will actually free people from prison.
Biden’s announcement comes just weeks before the end of his term, and he has promised to take more steps in the coming weeks to advance equal justice under the law and promote public safety.
