Biden commutes nearly 2,500 more sentences in final days of presidency

President Biden made a significant announcement on Friday morning as he nears the end of his presidency. He revealed that he will be commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 inmates, all of whom were convicted of non-violent drug offenses. These individuals were serving sentences that were deemed disproportionately long when compared to what they would receive under current laws.

In a statement, Biden explained that the commutations were necessary to address outdated sentencing practices, particularly in cases involving crack and powder cocaine. He emphasized the importance of equalizing sentencing disparities, citing the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 and the First Step Act of 2018 as guiding principles.

The president described the move as a step towards correcting historic wrongs and providing deserving individuals with the opportunity to reunite with their families and reintegrate into their communities after spending excessive time behind bars. This decision sets Biden apart from his predecessors, as he has now granted more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in U.S. history.

While the act of granting clemency is not uncommon for a president, Biden has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum for some of his controversial decisions. In December, he commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, sparing them from execution but ensuring they would spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Additionally, Biden faced backlash for pardoning his son, Hunter, of any crimes he may have committed over a 10-year period. Hunter had been convicted of gun and tax crimes in separate federal cases the previous year.

Despite the criticisms, Biden remains steadfast in his commitment to reviewing and granting additional commutations and pardons before his term comes to an end on January 19. According to statistics from the Department of Justice, there are nearly 2,000 individuals awaiting pardons upon completing their sentences, with over 6,600 cases awaiting commutation following Friday’s announcement.

President Biden’s record on clemency has been a focal point of his presidency, with his administration touting the largest single-day grant of clemency on December 12. As he prepares to leave office, Biden’s clemency decisions continue to spark debate and scrutiny, underscoring the complexities of the criminal justice system and the power of executive clemency.