Official announcements from the White House or the U.S. Department of Justice

Biden Commutes 1,500 Sentences, Issues 39 Pardons for Non-Violent Crimes in Largest Single-Day Clemency Action

Dec 12, 2024, 10:16 AM

President Joe Biden has announced a significant clemency initiative, commuting the sentences of approximately 1,500 individuals and granting pardons to 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes. This action, described as the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history, comes just weeks before the end of Biden's presidency. The commutations are specifically for individuals who have completed at least one year of home confinement. Biden emphasized the importance of rehabilitation, stating that the pardoned individuals have demonstrated a commitment to improving their communities. This move has garnered attention from both criminal justice advocates and political opponents, as it reflects Biden's use of presidential clemency powers amid ongoing discussions about criminal justice reform.