Biden Establishes New Record for Clemency
The departing US president has shortened the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals, just under two weeks following the pardon of his son, Hunter. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
US President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 1,499 individuals and pardoned 39 non-violent offenders, as announced by the White House on Thursday. This action follows his earlier decision to grant a blanket pardon to his son, Hunter, whom he claimed had been convicted for political reasons.
This represents the largest single-day clemency grant in US history, surpassing the previous record set by President Barack Obama, who commuted 330 sentences shortly before leaving office in 2017. In his first term, Joe Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, issued 237 executive grants of clemency, with nearly 150 of those granted in the final days of his presidency, early in 2021.
Biden's commutations have primarily benefited individuals who have “successfully reintegrated into their families and communities,” according to the announcement. A significant number of those included in this commutation had been transferred to home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely impacted US detention facilities, affecting up to 20% of the prison population.
The pardons mostly targeted “individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana” and “former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation,” the statement mentioned. Biden's use of presidential power is intended to enhance his “record of criminal justice reform to help reunite families, strengthen communities, and reintegrate individuals back into society,” it continued.
While serving in Congress, Biden played a crucial role in passing the 1994 Crime Bill, a controversial law criticized for contributing to the mass incarceration of nonviolent offenders, particularly among African Americans charged with drug-related crimes. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the law significantly influenced Democratic Party politics, resulting in competition with the Republican Party to increase crime penalties.
On December 1, Biden announced his decision to pardon his son Hunter, who was facing sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions. The president contended that the prosecution was flawed and politically motivated. This action came despite previous assurances from Biden and his administration that he would not protect his son from criminal responsibility.
An opinion poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicated that only 20% of Americans and 40% of Democrats supported the pardon of Hunter Biden.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
This represents the largest single-day clemency grant in US history, surpassing the previous record set by President Barack Obama, who commuted 330 sentences shortly before leaving office in 2017. In his first term, Joe Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, issued 237 executive grants of clemency, with nearly 150 of those granted in the final days of his presidency, early in 2021.
Biden's commutations have primarily benefited individuals who have “successfully reintegrated into their families and communities,” according to the announcement. A significant number of those included in this commutation had been transferred to home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely impacted US detention facilities, affecting up to 20% of the prison population.
The pardons mostly targeted “individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana” and “former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation,” the statement mentioned. Biden's use of presidential power is intended to enhance his “record of criminal justice reform to help reunite families, strengthen communities, and reintegrate individuals back into society,” it continued.
While serving in Congress, Biden played a crucial role in passing the 1994 Crime Bill, a controversial law criticized for contributing to the mass incarceration of nonviolent offenders, particularly among African Americans charged with drug-related crimes. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the law significantly influenced Democratic Party politics, resulting in competition with the Republican Party to increase crime penalties.
On December 1, Biden announced his decision to pardon his son Hunter, who was facing sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions. The president contended that the prosecution was flawed and politically motivated. This action came despite previous assurances from Biden and his administration that he would not protect his son from criminal responsibility.
An opinion poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicated that only 20% of Americans and 40% of Democrats supported the pardon of Hunter Biden.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
