Share and Follow
JOE Biden has commuted around 2,500 sentences in a major act of clemency days before he leaves office.
The outgoing commander-in-chief, 82, has cemented his place in the history books as he’s issued the most pardons of any US president.
Around 2,500 people convicted of non-violent crimes are having sentences reduced.
It affects those who were given lengthy sentences for drug convictions, including crack and powder cocaine.
“This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars,” Biden said.
“I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons.”
In December, Biden issued 39 pardons and 1,499 commutations in what was the largest act of clemency at the time.
And days before Christmas, he spared 37 people on death row from execution.
Thomas Sanders, who kidnapped and murdered Lexis Roberts, was among those spared from execution. Sanders was convicted in 2014.
President-elect Donald Trump blasted Biden’s decision to spare dozens of death row inmates, labeling it “abhorrent.”
Biden will leave office on January 20 and will attend Trump’s inauguration.
This week, Biden addressed the nation for the final time from the Oval Office and was ripped for boosting himself using a pillow.
Since Trump’s election victory, the outgoing president has issued a raft of pardons.
In December, he shamelessly pardoned his son, Hunter, who was convicted of gun offenses.
Biden issued the pardon just days before Hunter was to be sentenced.
And, he spared his son from a potential prison sentence despite vowing that he wouldn’t issue a pardon.
Biden claimed his son had been “unfairly prosecuted” and said the justice process had been politicized as he tried to justify his actions.
Hunter was set to be sentenced on December 12 after his conviction on gun charges.
He faced a December 16 sentencing after pleading guilty in a separate case for tax charges.
It is common for outgoing presidents to issue a flurry of pardons and commutations as they prepare to leave office.
Biden commutes another 2,500 sentences
PRESIDENT Joe Biden has commuted another 2,500 sentences as he gears up to leave office. He has issued a statement.
“Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice.
“With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.
“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes.
“As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities.
“This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars.
” I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons.”
Source: The White House
Speculation has been rife whether Biden will issue pre-emptive pardons to figures such as vocal Trump critic Liz Cheney, and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Biden’s pardon and commutation spree dwarfs his predecessors totals.
Between 2017 and 2021, Trump issued 143 pardons.
He has already touted the idea of pardoning some of the January 6, 2021, Capitol protesters who were convicted.
Trump issued a flurry of pardons and commutations in the final hours of his presidency.
He issued a full pardon to ally Steve Bannon, and the rapper Lil Wayne before leaving office on January 20, 2021.
President Barack Obama issued 212 pardons over his eight-year presidency.
George W. Bush granted 189 pardons between 2001 and 2009, and Bill Clinton issued 396 pardons between 1993 and 2001.
