Biden Pardons 39 Convicts, Commutes 1,500 Offences In Historic Clemency

United States President, Joe Biden, made history on Thursday by pardoning 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes and commuting the sentences of over 1,500 individuals. These individuals, who had been released from prison and placed under home arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now given a second chance.

This act of clemency, announced by the White House, sets a new record for the largest single-day act of presidential clemency, surpassing the 330 sentences commuted by former President Barack Obama on his last day in office in 2017.

The individuals granted pardons were convicted of nonviolent crimes, mainly drug offenses, and had shown significant signs of rehabilitation. The group included a woman who led emergency response teams during natural disasters, a church deacon who worked as an addiction counselor and youth mentor, a doctoral student in molecular biosciences, and a decorated military veteran.

President Biden’s commutations applied to people who had served at least one year of home confinement after being released during the pandemic. The move came at a time when COVID-19 had affected nearly one in five prisoners in the US, according to The Associated Press.

In his statement, Biden emphasized the importance of second chances, stating, “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances.” He expressed his privilege in extending mercy to those who had shown remorse and rehabilitation, enabling them to reenter society and contribute to their communities.

This recent move builds on Biden’s previous clemency actions, which have included 122 commutations and 21 pardons, as well as broader pardons for individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession on federal lands. Biden has also granted pardons to former service members convicted under the now-repealed military ban on consensual gay sex.

The timing of the clemency announcement follows a broad pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was previously prosecuted for gun and tax offenses earlier this month. This recent pardon is seen as a reversal of his prior stance, marking another significant moment in his presidency.