Special Poll
President Joe Biden has granted clemency to nearly 1,500 people, including 39 pardons and 1,499 sentence commutations, in a record-breaking single-day effort. This bold move follows calls from criminal justice reform advocates and comes as his presidency nears its end. Here’s what you need to know:
1. A Record-Setting Day
The clemencies impacted more individuals in a single day than any previous administration, a milestone highlighted by the White House. These actions came after critiques that Biden had not matched the clemency records of his predecessors.
For context:
- Donald Trump: Pardoned 144 and commuted 94 sentences in his first term.
- Barack Obama: Granted 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations during two terms.
With this announcement, Biden’s total rises to 65 pardons and over 1,600 commutations, surpassing Trump’s commutations and nearing Obama’s totals, with more actions potentially on the horizon.
2. 39 Pardons for Nonviolent Offenders
All 39 pardons were granted to individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses, many involving drug charges. Some recipients include:
- James Russell Stidd, 79, who committed a nonviolent offense at age 20.
- James Edgar Yarbrough, an Air Force veteran with a Purple Heart.
- Shannon Rae Faulkner, now a counselor supporting trauma victims and people with disabilities.
While pardons do not erase criminal records, they restore civil rights and reduce the stigma of federal convictions. Biden previously pardoned 26 individuals, including his son, Hunter Biden.
3. 1,499 Sentence Commutations
The bulk of Biden’s clemency focused on reducing sentences for nearly 1,500 individuals. Many were nonviolent offenders serving home confinement under pandemic-era policies, which allowed certain prisoners to serve sentences at home.
The administration emphasized that many of these individuals would have received lighter sentences if tried under today’s laws. Biden noted their successful reintegration into society, citing employment, education, and rehabilitation as evidence of their transformation.
4. Advocates Demand More
While many praised Biden’s clemency actions as progress, advocates stressed there’s unfinished business. Calls continue for:
- Commuting the sentences of over 40 individuals on federal death row.
- Addressing systemic disparities, particularly for Black Americans disproportionately impacted by the justice system.
- Offering relief to elderly, ill, or disabled prisoners.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) praised Biden’s efforts but urged him to do more with his remaining time in office, calling clemency a matter of morality and legacy.
5. Hunter Biden Pardon Sparks Debate
The clemencies follow backlash over Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, despite earlier promises not to do so. Critics from both sides questioned the move, with Republicans accusing him of favoritism and some Democrats expressing concern about the political fallout.
This controversy, however, intensified calls for broader clemency efforts. Advocates argued that if Biden could pardon his son, he could extend similar leniency to others, including those facing harsh sentences or systemic injustices.