By Julianna Frieman
President Joe Biden pardoned 39 criminals convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 prisoners placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday morning.
Biden’s large single-day act of clemency comes days after the Democratic president made waves by pardoning his son, Hunter. A White House fact sheet celebrated Biden’s sweeping move for its scale compared to recent presidents and its impact on convicted marijuana-users and LGBT service members.
“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 fact sheet read.
Today, I’m pardoning 39 people with non-violent crimes who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, and I’m commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 others – many of whom would have received lower sentences today.
America was built on second chances. That’s what these… pic.twitter.com/OigPcN8qkJ
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2024
“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,” the fact sheet continued.
The White House highlighted the following three recipients of clemency: a military veteran and pilot, a nurse who participated in emergency responses and promoted COVID-19 vaccines and an addiction counselor. These individuals were not named and their criminal offenses were not revealed.
Biden will likely issue more acts of clemency in his 39 remaining days as president, the fact sheet indicated, saying he is expected to “take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances.”
This comes as sources said Biden is considering issuing preemptive pardons to people some believe President-elect Donald Trump will target, including Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff, former Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, according to multiple reports. (RELATED: ‘He Invaded My Home’: ‘Meet The Press’ Host Presses Trump On Firing FBI Director)
In April 2022, Biden issued three pardons and 75 commutations, according to the White House. He also provided six pardons in December 2022 and 31 commutations in April 2023.
The president gave out 11 pardons and 16 commutations in December 2023 and April 2024.
