President Biden issued pardons for nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders on Friday, marking a significant milestone as he surpasses all previous presidents in the number of individual pardons and commutations granted. This action aims to correct historical sentencing disparities and provide relief to individuals who received lengthy sentences under outdated laws and policies.
President Joe Biden has issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in history, after announcing Friday that he was pardoning nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders.
Biden said in the announcement, which came just three days before his term ends, that he is commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses and 'serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice.'\He did not provide additional details as to the exact number of people who would be affected by the clemency action, timelines involved or any of the qualifying criteria used for assessing the pardons. 'Today's clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,' Biden wrote. In the 1980s, Biden supported several bills that increased penalties for drug users, including one that essentially lengthened sentences for crack cocaine users, predominantly African-Americans, as compared to those convicted of using powder cocaine, who were predominantly white. 'This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars,' he said, with no direct mention of his prior record. 'With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,' Biden said in the statement. Hinting he's not done yet with his pardon power, Biden also wrote that he will 'continue to review additional commutations and pardons.
PARDONS COMMUTATIONS DRUG OFFENSES SENTENCING DISPARITIES HISTORICAL WRONGS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
West Virginia Democrats Slam Biden's Pardons as 'Trumpian'West Virginia Democrats criticized President Biden's last-minute pardons, arguing they mirrored the actions of former President Trump.
Read more »
Turley Warns of 'Dangerous' Precedent in Biden's Potential Pardons of Trump CriticsFox News legal contributor Jonathan Turley expressed his opposition to President Biden potentially preemptively pardoning Trump critics like Liz Cheney, arguing that it would set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
Read more »
Biden would be making a 'huge mistake' with preemptive pardons, legal expert warnsFox News legal contributor Jonathan Turley joins 'Fox & Friends' to discuss House Republicans calling for FBI investigation of Liz Cheney as Biden considers preemptive pardons.
Read more »
Joe Biden Pardons BMF Co-Founder Terry ‘Southwest T’ FlenoryPresident Joe Biden pardoned Southwest T and his brother Big Meech, who were sentenced to 30 years each in 2008.
Read more »
Abortion Opponents Shift Focus to Pills, Biden Pardons Death Row Inmates, Vikings WinThis news roundup covers a variety of topics including abortion rights advocates facing new challenges from lawsuits and proposed laws targeting abortion pills, President Biden commuting the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, and the Minnesota Vikings' victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The article also touches on the increasing reliance on Chinese-made drones, NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission, and the spread of holiday blues.
Read more »
Dem Rep. Quigley: Biden’s Pardons Concerning, Sets Bad PrecedentSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »