US President Joe Biden has granted presidential pardons to 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes, and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others.
The White House described it as one of the president’s most acts of clemency issued in a single day. It has not named the people involved.
The US Constitution stipulates that the president has broad powers to “grant relief and pardon for crimes against the United States, except for impeachment”.
Earlier this month, Biden issued a controversial pardon for his son Hunter, continuing a recent trend of presidents pardoning people close to them.
Announcing the move, Biden said those pardoned had “demonstrated successful rehabilitation and demonstrated a commitment to making their communities stronger and safer”. Their non-violent convictions include drug offenses.
The reduced sentences were for hundreds of people who were imprisoned during the Covid-19 crisis, and who were facing sentences that Biden considered too long under outdated laws.
“They have shown that they deserve a second chance,” said Biden.
Giving more details about the move, the White House said those receiving help included a decorated military veteran and pilot who helped members of the congregation, a nurse who helped administer Covid vaccines, and an addiction counselor.
Biden promised “further steps in the coming weeks”.
The president will leave the White House on January 20, 2025, when his successor Donald Trump is inaugurated.
Biden previously held the record for pardoning fewer people than most presidents in modern US history.
However, he has issued an amnesty for the past few sections. This is an amnesty given to a number of people who fall under the category specified by the president.
In October 2022, Biden issued a blanket amnesty for those convicted of marijuana possession, and later expanded that to include other marijuana-related offenses.
Earlier this year, Biden issued another full amnesty for military and veterans convicted of crimes based on their sexuality.
Trump has granted 237 acts of mercy during his first term in the White House, according to the Pew Research Center. These include 143 amnesties and 94 overturned sentences.
There are many who are busy before he leaves office.
Biden’s decision earlier this month to pardon his son, Hunter, continued a trend of presidents on both sides of America’s political divide — including Trump — offering clemency to people close to them.
Biden Jr was facing two felony convictions.
This act seemed to be the talk of the town, as the outgoing president has dismissed it. But he said his son’s crimes have political implications.
Biden has also decided to grant amnesty to prominent critics of his successor Trump in an effort to protect them from punishment after the president-elect takes office, but he is reportedly worried about the precedent he will set.
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