President Joe Biden announced Friday that nearly 2,500 incarcerated individuals, many of whom are convicted of drug offenses, would receive clemency.
Biden framed the decision as a step toward rectifying historical injustices, emphasizing sentencing disparities and outdated enhancements that disproportionately impacted certain offenders.
“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in a statement. “This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars.”
The latest round of clemency builds on Biden’s previous efforts in December, when he commuted the sentences of 1,500 individuals and issued pardons for 39 others. Friday’s announcement marks a record-breaking move in Biden’s clemency actions, surpassing his December numbers.
Critics have raised concerns about Biden’s clemency decisions, particularly regarding the scope of individuals impacted. While the president has highlighted the focus on “nonviolent” drug offenders, opponents argue that the blanket nature of some clemency actions fails to account for potential public safety risks.
One of the most contentious moments of Biden’s presidency came last month when he pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, and commuted the death sentences of 37 out of 40 individuals on federal death row. Among those spared were individuals convicted of heinous crimes, including child murder and mass killings.
Biden, however, has remained steadfast in defending his actions. “I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons,” he stated.
The clemency decisions are part of Biden’s broader push to address what he describes as systemic inequities in the criminal justice system. The president has repeatedly emphasized the need to correct disparities stemming from outdated sentencing guidelines, particularly those related to crack versus powder cocaine offenses.
Advocacy groups and criminal justice reform proponents have lauded the move, viewing it as a meaningful step toward reducing mass incarceration and addressing racial disparities in sentencing.
The New York Post reports that nearly 2,000 individuals are awaiting pardons upon completing their sentences, and more than 6,600 cases are pending for commutation. With three days remaining in his term, Biden could further extend his record-breaking clemency actions.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Monday, some observers speculate that Biden may issue additional high-profile pardons or commutations in his final days. Whether such actions will be celebrated as justice or condemned as overreach remains a point of heated debate.
Biden’s presidency has been marked by contentious decisions on criminal justice reform, and his clemency record is no exception. As the administration winds down, supporters and critics alike are closely watching for any final moves that could further shape his legacy.