Biden issues a record-breaking wave of commutations and 39 pardons

President Joe Biden issued a record-breaking wave of pardons and pardons on Thursday, the most ever granted by a president in a single day.

In a statement from the White House, the administration wrote that Biden “is commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals who have been in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.”

The president will also pardon 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses. The clemency granted to drug offenders – many of whom were incarcerated for minor marijuana-related offenses – responds in part to a call by Democratic lawmakers for the outgoing president to complete efforts to limit federal marijuana prosecutions before he leaves office Granting clemency to those convicted of marijuana charges.

“The President is committed to granting clemency to individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes who, as a result of outdated laws, policies, and practices, have been sentenced to longer prison sentences than if the individuals were convicted today,” the White House wrote. “While today’s announcement represents an important step forward, there is more to come. President Biden will continue to consider clemency petitions and pursue criminal justice reform in a manner that advances justice and equity, promotes public safety, supports rehabilitation and reintegration, and provides meaningful second chances.”

This mass pardon follows a controversial decision by Biden to pardon his son Hunter Biden, despite his previous announcement. The younger Biden was convicted of federal tax violations and unlawful gun possession.

BIden argued that his son’s prosecution was politically motivated and that “no reasonable person looking at the facts of Hunter’s cases could come to any conclusion other than that Hunter was singled out simply because he is my son – and that.” is wrong.”

With the president feeling merciful, advocates are imploring him to use his clemency powers wisely. As already reported by Rolling Stone, The death penalty-loving Trump is preparing to quickly reverse guidelines suspending federal executions under Biden, reviving the “killing spree” – as one source put it – that Trump led during his first term.

Advocates and inmates on federal death row are hoping that Biden, who once promised to “work to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty at the federal level and create incentives for states to follow the federal government’s lead,” will commute their death sentences. to avoid a death penalty execution.