Biden Issues Largest Single-Day Clemency in Modern US History

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Facts

  • US Pres. Joe Biden on Thursday granted pardons to 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted sentences for approximately 1.5K others, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern American history.[1][2]
  • The commutations primarily affect individuals who were placed in home confinement during the COVID pandemic and demonstrated successful rehabilitation in their communities for at least one year.[3][4]
  • The 39 pardoned individuals include veterans, community leaders, and advocates who were convicted of non-violent offenses and have shown commitment to rehabilitation and community service.[1][2]
  • This announcement follows Biden's pardon of his son Hunter earlier this month, which sparked criticism because he previously stated he would not intervene.[5][6]
  • Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly considering preemptive pardons for individuals who might face retribution under the incoming Trump administration, including Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who led the House Jan. 6 committee.[3][7][8]
  • Prior to this announcement, Biden had issued 135 commutations and 26 pardons, lagging behind his predecessors in clemency actions. He also pledged additional clemency actions in the coming weeks as his administration continues to review petitions.[1][3][9]

Sources: [1]New York Post, [2]BBC News, [3]The New York Times, [4]CNN, [5]Breitbart, [6]FOX News, [7]Newsmax, [8]The Hill and [9]The Wall Street Journal.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Huffington Post. While Trump is hinting he'll give get-out-of-jail-free cards to violent insurrectionists, Biden is sticking to his principles by pardoning non-violent offenders who contributed to society while on parole. The president ruffled some feathers by pardoning his son, but his show of mercy in this case will likely erase whatever stain that left behind.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by The Federalist. Democrats painting this as a merciful act are neglecting to note the concerns surrounding Biden's recent Thanksgiving act of clemency, which saw him commute the sentences of two Chinese spies, Yanjun Xu and Ji Chaoqun, as well as a man convicted of possessing child pornography. The national security and moral risks tied to these pardons raise unavoidable questions about his latest pardons.