Outgoing United States President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that he had commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and granted pardons to 39 others convicted of non-violent crimes.
The White House described this as the largest single-day clemency action in the nation’s history.
“I am pardoning 39 people who have shown successful rehabilitation,” Biden stated. He further added, “I am also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison sentences.”
According to the White House, the individuals whose sentences were commuted — described as “the most ever in a single day” — had been serving their sentences at home for at least one year.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden remarked. “As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s decision earlier this month to issue an official pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. The younger Biden had been facing sentencing in two criminal cases, and the President’s move drew criticism due to prior assurances that he would not interfere in his son’s legal matters.
