Biden issues 39 presidential pardons and commutes 1,500 sentences

President Joe Biden has recently taken significant action by granting presidential pardons to 39 individuals who were convicted of non-violent crimes. Additionally, he has commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others, marking this as the highest number of clemency acts issued by a president in a single day. The White House has not disclosed the names of those who received these pardons. According to the US Constitution, the president possesses the authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, with the exception of cases involving impeachment. Earlier this month, Biden made headlines by pardoning his son Hunter, which has sparked discussions about the trend of presidents pardoning individuals close to them. In his announcement, Biden emphasized that those who were pardoned had demonstrated successful rehabilitation and a commitment to strengthening their communities. The non-violent offenses for which they were convicted included drug-related crimes. The commuted sentences primarily affected individuals who were placed under home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic and were facing sentences that Biden deemed excessively long due to outdated laws. He stated that these individuals 'deserve a second chance. ' The White House provided further details, noting that among those receiving relief were a decorated military veteran and pilot who assisted fellow church members, a nurse who played a crucial role in the Covid vaccine rollout, and an addiction counselor. Biden has promised that there will be 'more steps in the weeks ahead. ' As he prepares to leave the White House on January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump will be inaugurated, it is worth noting that Biden has historically issued fewer pardons than many of his predecessors. However, he has granted some categorical pardons in the past, which are pardons given to a large group of individuals who fall under a specific category defined by the president. In October 2022, Biden issued a full pardon for those convicted of simple possession of marijuana, later expanding it to include other marijuana-related offenses. Earlier this year, he also granted a full pardon to military personnel and veterans who were convicted of offenses related to their sexual orientation. In contrast, former President Trump granted a total of 237 acts of clemency during his first term, which included 143 pardons and 94 commuted sentences, many of which were issued in a rush before he left office. Biden's recent decision to pardon his son Hunter has drawn criticism, especially since he had previously ruled out such an action. However, he has argued that the charges against his son were politically motivated. Additionally, Biden has considered issuing pre-emptive pardons for prominent critics of Trump to protect them from potential retribution after the president-elect takes office, although he has expressed concerns about the precedent this could set.