President Joe Biden made a significant announcement on Friday, revealing his decision to commute the sentences of almost 2,500 individuals who were convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. This move comes as part of a series of clemency actions undertaken by Biden in his final days in office, aimed at addressing what he considers to be overly harsh prison terms.
With this recent round of clemency, President Biden has set a new record for the highest number of individual pardons and commutations issued during his tenure. The President emphasized that he is focused on rectifying the issue of 'disproportionately long sentences' that were imposed on individuals, particularly in cases where the sentences would be significantly different under current laws and practices.
In a statement, President Biden highlighted that the clemency action is intended to provide relief to those who received extended sentences due to outdated distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as sentencing enhancements for drug-related crimes. He described this step as crucial in addressing historical injustices, correcting sentencing imbalances, and offering deserving individuals the chance to reunite with their families and communities after enduring lengthy periods of incarceration.
While the White House has not yet disclosed the names of the individuals receiving commutations, President Biden indicated that more actions could be forthcoming. He expressed his commitment to reviewing additional commutations and pardons before the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
President Biden's recent clemency measures build upon his previous actions, including the commutation of sentences for approximately 1,500 individuals who were transitioned from prison to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he granted pardons to 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent offenses, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
As the end of his term approaches, President Biden is also deliberating on the possibility of issuing broader pardons for officials and allies who may face unwarranted scrutiny from the incoming administration. While the President holds absolute authority in granting pardons, such preemptive actions would represent a unique and potentially risky use of this constitutional power.
Furthermore, President Biden recently commuted the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment shortly before the end of Trump's presidency. Trump, known for his support of capital punishment, has vowed to reverse this decision once he assumes office.
In a notable move, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter for federal gun and tax violations, as well as any potential federal offenses committed over an 11-year span. This decision was motivated by concerns that Trump allies might target his son for other alleged offenses.
Looking ahead, it is anticipated that President Biden will issue additional targeted pardons to assist allies as he prepares to leave office, following a tradition observed by many outgoing presidents. In a similar fashion, during the final hours of his first term, President Trump granted pardons and commutations to over 140 individuals, including prominent figures like Steve Bannon, Lil Wayne, and Kodak Black.
President Trump's ultimate act before the end of his initial term was the pardon of Al Pirro, the former spouse of Fox News Channel host Jeanine Pirro, who had been convicted of conspiracy and tax evasion charges in 2000.
