President Biden has exercised his power of clemency, pardoning 39 individuals for nonviolent crimes and commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who were moved from prison to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a White House announcement on Thursday. This action, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history, comes amid calls from Democrats for Biden to utilize his extensive clemency power before leaving office.
Biden, in a statement, emphasized the importance of second chances and the potential for rehabilitation. He stated, “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances. I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities.” He also indicated that his administration would continue to review clemency petitions in the coming weeks to promote equal justice under the law.
Earlier this month, Biden issued a controversial “full and unconditional pardon” to his son Hunter, which neutralized two impending criminal sentences. This move, which contradicted previous White House statements that clemency for his son was not an option, led to public calls from Democrats for Biden to extend his pardon power to other Americans.
Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), have urged Biden to show the same compassion he demonstrated towards his son to working-class Americans in the federal prison system who have been unjustly prosecuted for nonviolent offenses. Some Democrats, including Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), have even suggested that Biden should consider pardoning President-elect Donald Trump.
The commutations announced on Thursday specifically applied to individuals who had completed at least one year of home confinement. This was a measure taken under the CARES Act in response to prisons becoming hotspots for the COVID-19 virus. The pardoned individuals had committed a range of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses, and were described by the White House as veterans, parents, and “engaged members of their communities.”
Among those granted clemency by Biden were a woman who led a response team during natural disasters, a decorated military veteran, a church deacon who assisted individuals with drug addictions, and a doctoral student in the biosciences. These commutations were announced as some GOP lawmakers considered legislation demanding that these individuals be returned to prison.
Democrats generally praised Biden’s actions and encouraged him to grant additional clemencies. Prior to Thursday’s announcement, the largest single-day clemency push was by former President Barack Obama, who granted 330 just before leaving the White House.
Before Thursday, Biden had granted a total of 161 acts of clemency, including 135 commutations and 26 pardons. In comparison, Trump granted clemency 238 times, including 94 commutations and 144 pardons, while Obama granted clemency 1,927 times, including 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations, over his eight-year term.