Biden clemency announcement gets mixed reviews on Capitol Hill: ‘Where’s the bar?’

President Biden’s recent act of clemency, which marked the largest in a single day, has sparked mixed reactions among lawmakers on Capitol Hill. While some congressional Republicans have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, a number of Democrats are hopeful that it will be expanded in the future.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., voiced her lack of surprise at the clemency grants, stating, “I think I’m still trying to get over the Hunter Biden thing after he promised America he wouldn’t do it.” Luna was referring to Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden earlier this month, despite his previous promise not to do so. Hunter had been convicted in two separate federal cases, which led to criticism from Republicans like Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who claimed that Biden had lost credibility with the move.

Biden announced the commutation of nearly 1,500 jail sentences and the granting of 39 pardons for nonviolent offenders on Thursday. This move raised questions among lawmakers, with Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, questioning the standards used to determine who receives clemency. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., suggested that Biden’s actions reflected a belief in the corruption of his administration.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., however, praised Biden’s decision, stating, “The punishment doesn’t fit the crime in far too many cases in our justice system. I commend President Biden for this act of mercy and for his leadership.” Other Democrats, including Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., also expressed support for Biden’s use of clemency power to address issues of justice reform.

Despite the mixed reactions, some Democrats are hoping to see more clemency grants from Biden in the future. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., stated, “We’re still hoping he will offer clemency to the people who are on death row. We’re still looking for the next list of people.”

Overall, Biden’s recent clemency grants have stirred debate among lawmakers, with Republicans criticizing his decisions and Democrats calling for further action. The debate surrounding the use of clemency power is likely to continue as Biden’s administration moves forward with its justice reform agenda.