
President Biden speaks throughout a White Home occasion on this Jan. 5, 2025 file picture.
Kent Nishimura/Getty Pictures
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Kent Nishimura/Getty Pictures
President Biden introduced on Friday that he’s commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 folks convicted of non-violent drug crimes who’re serving far longer sentences than they might obtain immediately.
“With this motion, I’ve now issued extra particular person pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. historical past,” Biden mentioned in an announcement, hinting there could also be extra to return earlier than he leaves workplace on Monday.
“I’m pleased with my document on clemency and can proceed to overview extra commutations and pardons,” he mentioned.
Final month, Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 federal prisoners to life in jail with out parole. He additionally commuted 1,500 jail sentences and pardoned 39 folks in what the White Home known as the largest act of clemency in a single day in fashionable presidential historical past.
The people receiving clemency on Friday had acquired sentences that have been longer than they might be underneath present legal guidelines and insurance policies, the White Home mentioned.
Crack cocaine offenses traditionally had considerably harsher jail sentences than these for powder cocaine — a difference that disproportionately affected Black men. A invoice to deal with the problem died within the Senate.
Earlier this month, Biden told USA Today he was contemplating utilizing his energy to deal with disparities in sentences for offenses involving crack cocaine.
“This motion is a vital step towards righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and offering deserving people the chance to return to their households and communities after spending far an excessive amount of time behind bars,” Biden mentioned.
Biden drew criticism final month for his resolution to problem a blanket pardon to his son Hunter, who was convicted of federal gun prices. Hunter Biden additionally pleaded responsible to a federal tax offense.
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