
President Joe Biden announced on Friday the commutation of sentences for 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, continuing his administration’s emphasis on addressing perceived inequities in the justice system. Biden framed the move as an effort to correct outdated sentencing practices that disproportionately punished certain offenders, calling the step an “important milestone” in his presidency.
“Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice,” Biden stated. The decision brings his total clemency actions to a record high, surpassing those of any previous U.S. president.
The president highlighted specific issues with sentencing disparities, particularly between crack and powder cocaine offenses. These differences have long been criticized as racially and socially discriminatory. Biden credited bipartisan efforts in Congress, such as the Trump-era First Step Act, for laying the groundwork to address these injustices.
Biden’s clemency record includes significant actions during his term, including 1,500 prior sentence commutations, 39 pardons for non-violent crimes, and a mass pardon for marijuana possession convictions. His efforts have drawn both praise and criticism, with some calling them overdue corrections of systemic wrongs, while others question their broader implications for public safety.
The president’s actions have also brought renewed scrutiny to his handling of other clemency decisions, such as the commutation of federal death sentences. In December, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, including Thomas Sanders, convicted of the brutal 2010 kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. This case reignited debate over clemency for those convicted of heinous crimes, with critics arguing it undermines justice for victims and their families.
Biden’s handling of clemency for his son Hunter Biden also remains a contentious issue. After previously promising not to intervene, Biden granted a sweeping pardon to his son, who faced allegations of tax crimes and gun possession violations. This move has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents and some legal experts, who view it as a conflict of interest.