Thousands Get Second Chance as Biden Pardons 39, Commutes 1,500 Sentences
President Joe Biden has issued the most extensive single-day presidential clemency action in US history, pardoning 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes and commuting nearly 1,500 sentences. The White House highlighted the pardons as an opportunity for rehabilitation, focusing on individuals who demonstrated commitment to strengthening their communities. The non-violent convictions primarily involved drug offenses, with recipients including a decorated military veteran, a nurse who assisted in the Covid vaccine rollout, and an addiction counselor. Many of the commuted sentences targeted individuals placed in home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic, whom Biden believed were serving disproportionately long sentences under outdated laws. This action follows Biden's previous categorical pardons, including full pardons for simple marijuana possession in October 2022 and for military personnel convicted of offenses based on sexual orientation. The move continues a presidential tradition of clemency, with Biden's predecessor […]