U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that he will commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 non-violent offenders and pardon 39 others, a move the White House called the largest number of commutations and clemencies granted in a single day.
In a statement, Biden said that America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances, and that as president, he has the privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation. He added that the move will restore opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and will help remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses.
The 1,500 offenders being commuted had been placed on home confinement for at least one year under the Covid-19-era CARES Act, and had shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer. Many of these defendants would receive lower sentences if they were tried under today’s laws, policies, and practices.
The 39 individuals being pardoned had been convicted of non-violent crimes, including a decorated military veteran, a nurse, and an addiction counselor. The White House said that Biden is the first president to issue “categorical pardons” for people convicted of using and possessing marijuana and for former LGBTQI+ service members convicted because of their sexual orientation.
Biden’s move is the largest batch of commutations in a single day, and surpasses the 330 commutations issued by former President Barack Obama in 2017. The President has also promised to take more steps in the coming weeks, and his administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions.
The move comes just days before Biden leaves office, and there is speculation that he may issue pre-emptive pardons for people that President-elect Donald Trump has scorned in recent years.
