Biden commutes sentences of 1,500 people, pardons nearly 40 in record day of clemency

President Biden said Thursday he is commuting the sentences of 1,500 people, the most ever in a single day. He is also pardoning 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes.

“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Biden flexed his clemency powers weeks after he did an about-face and pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and gun offenses despite saying for months he would not grant him relief.

Members of both parties said the pardon appeared to be an act of favoritism and set a poor precedent. President-elect Donald Trump pardoned some political allies during his first term, saying they were unfairly prosecuted, and he’s floated a plan to pardon some of the people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, deeming them “hostages.”

Mr. Biden, meanwhile, concluded the cases against his son were politically motivated and that GOP lawmakers would continue to pursue Hunter Biden. The White House said he struggled with the decision and that others would see relief.

Those actions landed en masse on Thursday.

The 1,500 persons who saw their sentences reduced had been placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was concern about transmission in prisons.

The White House said these persons had reunited with their families, reintegrated into society and sought work.

Persons receiving relief included a military veteran who helps church members in poor health; a nurse who led emergency responses to natural disasters and led COVID-19 vaccination efforts; and an addiction counselor who volunteers to help youth.

Previously, Mr. Biden had issued blanket pardons to persons convicted of marijuana possession and LGBT persons who served in the military and were convicted of offenses based on their sexual orientation.

The White House said that more pardons could be on the way.

“As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses,” Mr. Biden said.