Biden Breaks Records with 2,500 Commutations: A Historic Move for Clemency

On Friday, President Biden declared that he is commuting the prison terms of nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, who are currently serving sentences significantly longer than what would be imposed today.

“By taking this action, I have now granted more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in the history of the United States,” Biden remarked in a statement, suggesting that additional announcements could follow before his term concludes on Monday.

“I take pride in my record regarding clemency and will persist in reviewing further commutations and pardons,” he added.

Last month, Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He also commuted 1,500 prison terms and pardoned 39 individuals in what the White House described as the largest clemency action undertaken in a single day in modern presidential history.

The individuals granted clemency on Friday had been sentenced to terms longer than those dictated by current laws and regulations, according to the White House.

Historically, offenses related to crack cocaine resulted in significantly more severe prison sentences than those associated with powder cocaine — a discrepancy that disproportionately impacted Black males. A proposed bill to rectify this issue failed to pass in the Senate.

Earlier in the month, Biden informed USA Today that he was contemplating utilizing his authority to address the discrepancies in sentencing for offenses involving crack cocaine.

“This initiative represents a critical advancement towards rectifying historical injustices, addressing sentencing discrepancies, and providing deserving individuals the chance to reunite with their families and communities after enduring excessively long periods behind bars,” Biden stated.

President Biden faced backlash last month for his choice to extend a blanket pardon to his son Hunter, who was found guilty of federal firearm charges. Hunter Biden also confessed to a federal tax offense.