Biden Goes on Pardon Spree for 'Largest Single-Day Grant of Clemency in Modern History'
The controversial pardon of his son appears to be just the beginning.
With only a little more than a month left before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, President Joe Biden has executed what the White House calls the “largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history.”
“Today, President Biden announced that he is granting clemency to nearly 1,500 Americans — the most ever in a single day — who have shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer,” the White House statement proudly declared.
The announcement elaborated: “The President is commuting the sentences of close to 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.
“He is also pardoning 39 individuals who were convicted of non-violent crimes.
“These actions represent the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history.”
This unprecedented clemency comes on the heels of Biden’s Dec. 1 pardon of his son, Hunter, which drew widespread backlash.
Critics were quick to highlight that Biden had previously stated he would not pardon his son, allowing the legal process to take its course. Some skeptics also alleged that Hunter’s pardon conveniently shields Joe Biden from scrutiny over potential connections dating back to his tenure as vice president.
Hunter’s pardon proved deeply unpopular, with the Associated Press reporting it had an approval rating of roughly 20 percent.
Nevertheless, Biden seems undeterred by the criticism.
The White House’s statement conveyed a celebratory tone, asserting, “Together, these actions build on the President’s record of criminal justice reform to help reunite families, strengthen communities, and reintegrate individuals back into society. The President has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms.
“He is also the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation.”
Reiterating Biden’s stance, the release added: “As the President has said, the United States is a nation of second chances. The President recognizes how the clemency power can advance equal justice under law and remedy harms caused by practices of the past.”
For those concerned about the wave of clemency, the administration hinted there is more to come.
“In the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations,” the statement concluded.