Analysis from major news outlets and public statements

On Thursday, President Biden Grants Largest Single-Day Clemency, Commuting 1,500 Sentences and Pardoning 39 Non-Violent Offenders

Dec 12, 2024, 11:01 PM

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, President Joe Biden granted clemency to nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoned 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history. The White House announced that the president commuted the sentences of individuals who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those pardoned were three Texans: Nathaniel Reed III, a veteran who served 20 years with honor; Mireya Walmsley, a healthcare leader in disasters and pandemics; and Lashundra Wilson, a dedicated community member. The clemency actions also included three residents of Washington state. The move comes as Biden is about a month away from leaving office, and the White House indicated that more acts of clemency may be forthcoming in the final weeks of his presidency. This monumental effort is seen as a significant step toward justice and second chances, restoring hope and opportunity for many affected by non-violent offenses.