Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that he had commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and granted pardons to 39 others, marking what the White House described as the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history.
“America was built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I’ve had the honor of granting mercy to those who have shown remorse and proven their commitment to rehabilitation.”
Presidents often issue a flurry of clemency actions as their time in office comes to an end, typically applying only to federal crimes. The White House noted that the 1,500 commutations—“the most ever on a single day”—applied to individuals who had already served over a year under home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These commuted sentences were for people who successfully reintegrated into their communities and families,” Biden said. “They’ve demonstrated they deserve a second chance.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which had advocated for such actions, praised the move. “We are thrilled that President Biden is allowing people to remain with their families and contribute to their communities,” said Cynthia W. Roseberry, director of policy and government affairs at the ACLU’s Justice Division.
The clemency announcement came just days after Biden pardoned his son Hunter, a move that drew backlash from both Republican critics and some Democrats who viewed it as controversial. Hunter Biden had faced charges related to tax evasion and federal gun violations, potentially resulting in up to 17 years in prison.
The president’s action follows the precedent set by previous administrations, where similar high-profile pardons were granted, often to family members or close allies. For instance, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger, who had been convicted of drug charges, on his final day in office. Donald Trump, meanwhile, pardoned his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner.
The White House highlighted some of the individuals receiving clemency, including a decorated military veteran who assists fellow church members, a nurse who has led emergency response efforts during natural disasters, and an addiction counselor who dedicates his time to helping others.
“Today’s actions build on the President’s ongoing efforts to reform the criminal justice system, helping to reunite families, strengthen communities, and facilitate the reintegration of individuals into society,” the White House said. “President Biden has issued more sentence commutations than any of his recent predecessors at this point in their first terms.”
