President Biden Commutes 1,500 Jail Sentences, Pardons 39 in Largest Single-Day Act of Clemency in Modern History
President Biden has commuted the jail sentences of nearly 1,500 people and granted 39 pardons, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history, the White House announced on Thursday. The commutations were given to inmates who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities. The 39 individuals who received pardons were convicted of non-violent crimes.
The president’s action is seen as a move to address the country’s criminal justice system and promote rehabilitation and reentry. “The President has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first term,” White House officials said in a statement.
President Biden hinted that he plans to make more pardons and clemency decisions in the coming weeks. “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead. My Administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances,” he said.
The move comes as the president faces criticism for pardoning his son, Hunter, of felony gun and tax charges. The pardon was seen as a way to “break” Hunter, as the president claimed. However, many have criticized the move, with some calling it a “pay off” to his son. A recent poll found that just 2 in 10 Americans approved of the pardon.
