Thu Dec 12 13:32:08 UTC 2024: ## Biden Grants Largest Single-Day Clemency in Modern History
**Washington, D.C. –** President Joe Biden has granted clemency to nearly 1,900 individuals in a historic move, commuting the sentences of roughly 1,500 and issuing pardons to 39 others. This represents the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history, surpassing President Barack Obama’s 2017 record of 330.
The commutations primarily benefit individuals released from prison to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, who have served at least a year on home confinement. This initiative aimed to address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on incarcerated populations, where at one point, one in five prisoners contracted COVID-19.
The 39 pardons were granted to individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, including drug offenses. The White House highlighted examples of recipients who have since demonstrated rehabilitation and made significant contributions to their communities. These individuals include a disaster response leader, a church deacon, a doctoral student, and a decorated military veteran.
This act of clemency follows President Biden’s controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for gun and tax crimes, a decision that sparked considerable public debate and garnered only about 20% approval, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The move increased pressure on the administration to extend similar clemency to others.
President Biden stated that he plans to continue reviewing clemency petitions in the coming weeks, suggesting further actions before the end of his term. However, the possibility of preemptive pardons for individuals potentially facing retribution from the incoming Trump administration remains under consideration, a decision fraught with complex legal and political ramifications. Some, including Senator Adam Schiff, have voiced opposition to such actions.
The announcement comes amidst ongoing calls for broader clemency, including pardons for those on federal death row and for environmental and human rights lawyer Steven Donziger. While President Biden halted federal executions during his term, the resumption under the incoming Trump administration is anticipated.
The president’s actions highlight the considerable power of presidential clemency, which can include both pardons (erasing guilt and punishment) and commutations (reducing or eliminating punishment without exoneration). While it’s customary for presidents to grant clemency near the end of their terms, the scale and context of President Biden’s actions mark a significant event in modern U.S. history.
First Piper 