Biden Grants Clemency to 1,500, Pardons 39 Weeks Before Leaving Office

U.S. President Joe Biden announced today that he is granting clemency to nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 persons convicted of non-violent crimes. This decision comes weeks before Biden’s presidency comes to an end and makes it the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history. 

In an address, Biden said, “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances.” He added, “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, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences.”

While the clemency announcements were widely welcomed by human rights groups and advocacy organisations, they also come on the heels of Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son Hunter. However, White House officials insisted that Biden’s broader use of clemency is not influenced by that decision.

As his presidency winds down, Biden has promised further clemency actions. “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead,” Biden said. “My administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.”