President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of almost 1,500 offenders and pardoned 39 others, marking the largest number of commutations and clemencies granted in a single day. Biden emphasized the importance of second chances and restoring opportunities for individuals who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation. These offenders are all non-violent and have shown successful rehabilitation while on home confinement under the Covid-19-era CARES Act.
The 39 individuals who were pardoned were convicted of non-violent crimes, including a decorated military veteran, a nurse who leads responses to natural disasters, and an addiction counselor. Biden has issued more sentence commutations than his recent predecessors at this point in his presidency and is the first president to issue categorical pardons for individuals convicted of marijuana use and possession, as well as LGBTQI+ service members convicted based on their sexual orientation.
There may be more clemency actions to come, as Biden expressed his intention to take further steps and continue reviewing clemency petitions in the weeks ahead. There have been discussions about issuing pre-emptive pardons for individuals President-elect Donald Trump has targeted for retribution. Biden is set to leave office on January 20, 2025, with the inauguration of Trump.
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