On December 12, 2024, President Joe Biden made headlines by commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and granting full pardons to 39 others, marking the largest single-day clemency action by any U.S. president. This notable event adds to Biden's increasingly progressive approach toward criminal justice reform.
The commuted sentences primarily pertain to individuals who were placed under home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to policies established under the CARES Act. This legislation was crafted to manage prison overcrowding and minimize the virus's spread among inmates. The individuals who had their sentences commuted had already been assimilated back to their communities, demonstrating successful rehabilitation.
Biden's announcement follows the controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who faced charges related to illegal possession of firearms and tax evasion. This decision attracted criticism not just from Republican circles but also raised eyebrows within the Democratic Party. It reportedly undermined support for Biden from the very constituents he hopes to rally for the upcoming election, highlighting the contentious nature of his clemency actions.
During his latest announcement, Biden articulated the philosophy driving his clemency initiatives, stating, “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances.” He expressed his commitment to reunifying families, enhancing community safety, and assisting formerly incarcerated individuals with reentry. Among those receiving pardons were individuals with non-violent convictions, including drug offenses.
The Office of the White House provided insight on the newly pardoned individuals, noting their contributions to society post-conviction. For example, one recipient is hailed as a decorated military veteran who actively serves his local church, assisting fellow members facing health challenges. Another individual recognized is a nurse who played a significant role during the pandemic, leading emergency health responses and vaccination efforts.
Biden outpaces many of his recent predecessors with this surge of pardons. He has already surpassed several former presidents concerning the total number of commutations and pardons granted by this point in their initial terms. Importantly, Biden has uniquely extended clemency to categories previously not considered, such as individuals convicted of minor marijuana offenses.
Interestingly, many of the individuals benefiting from this clemency were charged under laws and guidelines no longer viewed as appropriate by modern standards. Biden’s administration has been diligent in reviewing cases under what he termed "outdated laws, policies, and practices," allowing him to apply individual judgment where the legal framework may have been overly punitive.
Nonetheless, some legislators from the opposing party expressed their intent to re-establish stricter controls over clemency programs, debating whether those on home confinement should revert to full prison sentences. Biden stressed the importance of giving deserving individuals 'a second chance,' reinforcing the sentiment among advocates for criminal justice reform.
Moving forward, Biden anticipates releasing additional pardons and commutations as he approaches the end of his presidency.
His administration’s commitment to what it calls “equal justice under law” reflects the increasing pressure from both the public and activist groups to deal comprehensively with issues surrounding mass incarceration and sentencing disparities, especially for non-violent offenders. The president has been faced with calls to commute the sentences of those on death row, as activists urge the administration to take stronger actions.
This record-setting clemency action speaks to President Biden’s broader efforts and challenges within the current political climate as he aims to balance reform with political expectation. Whether this will resonate positively with voters as he heads to the polls for the 2024 election remains to be seen.