President Joe Biden announced Thursday the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history, commuting the sentences of approximately 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 others convicted of non-violent offenses.
The majority of those receiving commutations were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and have demonstrated clear commitment to rehabilitation, according to White House officials. The individuals receiving pardons were selected based on their records of community service and successful reintegration into society.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, 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.”
Among those pardoned are a decorated military veteran known for community service, a nurse who assisted with COVID-19 vaccination efforts, and an addiction counselor recognized for mentoring young men of color, administration officials said.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure for Biden to exercise his clemency powers more extensively before leaving office. The president has previously issued pardons for marijuana possession offenses and military veterans convicted of consensual same-sex activities under former military law.
The historic clemency action follows Biden’s controversial decision earlier this month to grant a full pardon to his son Hunter, despite previous statements that he would not do so. The move drew criticism from both opponents and allies, including former senior adviser Anita Dunn, who called it “exceptionally poor timing.”
Administration officials maintain that the president’s decision regarding his son has not influenced his broader approach to clemency. “The President has shown his views on clemency and how he can use the clemency power to make our country more equitable, more just, repair some of the past wrongdoings that we’ve seen in the criminal justice system,” a senior administration official said.
With six weeks remaining in his term, Biden indicated that additional clemency actions are forthcoming. The White House Counsel’s office, led by Ed Siskel, continues to review petitions in consultation with the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney.
“I will take more steps in the weeks ahead,” Biden stated. “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.”
The broad clemency initiative has garnered support from human rights activists, advocacy groups, and Democratic lawmakers who have long pushed for criminal justice reform and the reduction of sentencing disparities, particularly for non-violent drug offenses.
