The outgoing president of the United States, Joe Bidensaid Thursday that it commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 convicts and pardoned 39 others sentenced for nonviolent crimes, in what the White House called the largest single-day act of clemency in the country’s history.
“I am pardoning 39 people who have demonstrated successful rehabilitation,” Biden said in a statement, adding that he had also “commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison terms.”
The White House reported that the almost 1,500 people whose sentences were commuted – “the largest number in history in a single day” – had been under house arrest for at least a year.
“America was built on the promise of possibilities and second chances,” the president said.
Biden specified that the 39 pardoned people “committed to making their community stronger and safer.”
Among those benefiting is a “decorated war veteran who dedicates much of his time to helping members of his church,” the White House said.
Also a nurse “who has led emergency responses during several natural disasters” and an addiction counselor “who works voluntarily.”
“We are delighted that President Biden has made it possible for these people to remain with their families and communities where they belong,” said Cynthia W. Roseberry of the ACLU civil rights organization.
Dick Durbin, an influential Democratic congressman, in turn celebrated the “important step” taken by the president, but also asked him to “continue using his pardon power until the end of his term to remedy judicial errors.”
Biden faced criticism for pardoning his son Hunter, convicted in two criminal cases, in early December, despite previously saying he would not do so.
In December 2020, his Republican predecessor and soon-to-be successor Donald Trump also pardoned the father of his son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, Charles Kushner, who was sentenced in 2004 to two years in prison for tax crimes.
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He recently announced his intention to appoint him ambassador to France.
In 2001, on his last day in office, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, convicted in 1985 of cocaine possession.
Both Roger Clinton and Charles Kushner had already served their prison sentences at the time of the presidential pardon.
Today, I’m pardoning 39 people with non-violent crimes who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, and I’m commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 others – many of whom would have received lower sentences today.
America was built on second chances. That’s what these… pic.twitter.com/OigPcN8qkJ
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2024
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