President Joe Biden on Friday commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses in what has been described as the largest single-day clemency act in United Story history.
The White House explained that the individuals had been serving sentences that were much longer than they would receive under current laws.
“This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families,” Biden said in a statement.
He added, “With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.”
Biden also indicated that he might issue more clemencies before handing over power to President-elect Donald Trump on Monday.
Last month, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others. Among those pardoned was his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of gun and tax crimes.
Additionally, Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates. However, three high-profile convicts were excluded, a Boston Marathon bomber convicted in 2013, the gunman responsible for murdering 11 Jewish worshippers in 2018, and a white supremacist who killed nine Black churchgoers in 2015.
Reports suggest that Biden has been considering granting blanket pardons to some allies and former officials amid concerns that they may face legal challenges under the incoming Trump administration.
President-elect Trump has expressed plans to resume federal executions, which were paused during Biden’s tenure.
