President Biden Grants Largest Single-Day Clemency, Commutes 2,500 Nonviolent Drug Sentences Amid Crack Cocaine Disparity

Jan 17, 2025, 01:27 PM

President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he is commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history. The action, taken during his final days in office, sets a record for the most individual pardons and commutations issued by a U.S. president. The clemency aims to address longstanding disparities in the criminal justice system, particularly those related to outdated crack cocaine laws that led to disproportionately long sentences. Last month, Biden commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people, further contributing to his legacy of criminal justice reform. He stated that he is 'righting historic wrongs' and providing individuals the opportunity to return to their communities.