Clemency Actions
President commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, aiming to rectify sentencing disparities, especially those related to crack and powder cocaine distinctions.
This decision marks Biden as the president with the most individual pardons and commutations in U.S. history, with previous actions including commutations for 1,500 people during the pandemic and pardons for 39 individuals.
Policy and Criticisms
Biden's clemency efforts are part of a broader push to address the racial and sentencing disparities created by the , which disproportionately affected communities of color.
Biden faced criticism for pardoning his son, , amid allegations of favoritism, though the president defended his record on clemency and indicated more actions could come before the end of his term.