On December 12, 2024, President Joe Biden took a significant step in criminal justice reform by commuting the sentences of approximately 1,500 individuals and issuing pardons for 39 others, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history. This decision, which followed Biden’s ongoing commitment to address sentencing disparities and offer second chances, comes after the individuals were placed under home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clemency Overview: Addressing Past Injustices
The commutations granted by Biden are primarily for individuals who had been released from prison and placed under home confinement during the pandemic. These individuals, who had served at least one year of their sentences, were released due to the heightened risk of COVID-19 in prison environments. During the peak of the pandemic, one in five prisoners contracted the virus, making it a significant public health concern. By commuting their sentences, Biden is not only addressing the impacts of the pandemic on the prison system but also offering a fresh start to those who have demonstrated rehabilitation.
In addition to the commutations, Biden issued pardons to 39 individuals who had been convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses. Many of these recipients have turned their lives around, contributing positively to their communities. Among them were a woman who led emergency response teams during natural disasters, a church deacon working as an addiction counselor, and a decorated military veteran. By pardoning these individuals, Biden aims to remove the stigma of past convictions, enabling them to reintegrate fully into society.
The Broader Push for Criminal Justice Reform
This act of clemency is part of Biden’s broader effort to address the inequities in the U.S. criminal justice system, particularly concerning nonviolent offenders. Biden has consistently advocated for reducing sentencing disparities, especially for those convicted of drug offenses, and for expanding opportunities for rehabilitation. The clemency actions align with his administration’s support for universal access to second chances and for dismantling the cyclical nature of poverty and incarceration that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
Biden’s latest clemency decision surpasses the second-largest single-day act, carried out by former President Barack Obama in 2017, when he commuted the sentences of 330 individuals before leaving office. Since taking office, Biden has issued 122 commutations and 21 pardons, demonstrating a consistent commitment to reforming the justice system and offering mercy to those who show remorse and rehabilitation.
Pressures and Advocacy for Broader Clemency
Despite the historic nature of this act, calls for broader clemency remain strong. Advocacy groups have pushed for the pardoning of individuals such as environmental lawyer Steven Donziger, who has faced legal challenges related to his work against Chevron. Others have urged Biden to address federal death row prisoners, a contentious issue given the history of federal executions during the Trump administration, which reached an unprecedented number at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While President Biden has not yet granted clemency for federal death row inmates, the issue remains under consideration. His Attorney General, Merrick Garland, has paused federal executions, reflecting the administration’s reluctance to continue a practice that Biden had pledged to end during his 2020 campaign. However, with a potential shift in leadership in 2025, Biden’s decisions on clemency could have lasting implications for the future of capital punishment in the United States.
A Reflection of Biden’s Values
Biden’s statement accompanying the clemency actions emphasized the principles of second chances and the potential for individuals to reintegrate into society. “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden stated, underlining the nation’s commitment to giving individuals the opportunity to turn their lives around. The clemency measures also underscore his belief that individuals who have demonstrated personal growth and rehabilitation deserve a path to a better future.
However, Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for charges related to tax and gun violations, has sparked political controversy. While criminal justice advocates support clemency for everyday Americans, the decision to grant a pardon to a family member has drawn criticism. According to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only about 20% of Americans approved of Biden’s reversal on this matter.
Conclusion: A Historic Day for Clemency
President Biden’s clemency actions on December 12, 2024, represent a landmark moment in the ongoing effort to reform the U.S. criminal justice system. By commuting the sentences of 1,500 individuals and granting 39 pardons, Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to fairness, rehabilitation, and second chances. As the administration continues to evaluate clemency petitions, the President’s actions signal a significant shift in how the U.S. handles nonviolent crime and its approach to the complexities of justice and mercy.
