The White House announced Thursday morning that President Joe Biden commuted jail sentences for nearly 1,500 people and granted 39 pardons in what is considered to be the largest single-day act of clemency in modern American history. According to the announcement, the president commuted sentences for inmates placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who "have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities."
Meanwhile, the 39 individuals pardoned were convicted of non-violent crimes.
"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," White House officials said in the statement.
As reported by Fox News, Biden previously hinted at making more pardons and clemencies before leaving office.
"I will take more steps in the weeks ahead. My Administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances," Biden said.
Thursday's pardons come over a week after Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on felony gun and tax charges in a controversial decision despite previously stating he would not do so. Not only did public figures on both sides of the political aisle criticize the move, but it was also met unfavorably by the American people.
According to a Wednesday poll by the Associated Press, a mere 2 in 10 Americans approved of the pardon.
Hunter was previously convicted in two separate federal cases earlier this year, including pleading guilty to federal tax charges in September, and was convicted of three felony gun charges in June.
In defense of the pardon, Biden argued that Hunter was "singled out only because he is my son" and that there was an effort by his political opponents to "break Hunter" in order to "break me."
When asked whether the president and his surrogates lied to the American people, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, "One thing the president believes is to always be truthful with the American people," and reiterated Biden's own statement on the matter.
The judge in Hunter's case also criticized Biden for the pardon and for blaming investigators, prosecutors, and himself for political bias.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Mandel Ngan/AFP
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.