President Biden Makes History: Commutes Sentences for 1,500 and Pardons 39 Individuals in a Single Day

President Biden Makes History: Commutes Sentences for 1,500 and Pardons 39 Individuals in a Single Day

 U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and granted pardons to 39 people, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history, according to the White House.

In a statement, Biden said he pardoned 39 individuals who had successfully completed their rehabilitation and demonstrated a commitment to strengthening and safeguarding their communities. Additionally, he commuted the sentences of 1,500 individuals currently serving long prison terms, many of whom would have faced lesser penalties under current laws.

The White House clarified that these commutations were primarily for those who were confined at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This announcement comes a week after Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, a move that sparked controversy. Republicans accused the president of abusing his power to shield a family member from legal trouble, a claim the Biden administration has denied, asserting that the case against Hunter Biden was politically motivated.

Following Biden's historic clemency action, progressive groups have urged the president to extend pardons and sentence reductions to thousands more. They emphasized, "America is a nation that promises second chances, and President Biden must act to fulfill that promise."

Among those pardoned were a woman who led emergency response teams during natural disasters, a church deacon now working as an addiction counselor, and a doctoral student conducting research in biology. Additionally, former military personnel were pardoned for offenses related to same-sex relationships during their time in service