Biden grants clemency to nearly 2,500 people in one day

President Joe Biden on Friday, January 17, commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offences, marking what the White House called the largest single-day act of clemency in US history. 

Those whose sentences were commuted were serving what Biden described as “disproportionately long sentences” compared to what they would receive under current sentencing laws.

Biden emphasized that the decision was an important step in “righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families.” He further stated, “With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in US history.” He also suggested that he may issue additional commutations or pardons before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on Monday.

In December, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoned 39 others, including his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing potential prison time following convictions related to gun and tax crimes.

Biden has also been reportedly considering issuing blanket pardons for some of his allies and former officials, amid concerns that they could face “retribution” as previously suggested by Trump. In addition to these actions, Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 out of 40 inmates on federal death row. The three individuals excluded from this decision were a 2013 Boston Marathon bomber, a gunman who killed 11 Jewish worshippers in 2018, and a white supremacist responsible for the 2015 shooting at a Black church.

Trump, who has signalled his intention to resume federal executions, had paused them during Biden’s tenure.