President Joe Biden has officially become the U.S. president with the highest number of individual pardons and commutations after granting clemency to nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders. The announcement came just three days before the end of his current term.
Adele Told Us About Her Daily Keto Routine That Melted 87 Pounds In Just a Few Weeks!
Historic Clemency Announcement
On Friday, President Biden revealed his decision to commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes, citing disproportionately long sentences compared to modern standards.
The clemency action primarily affects those serving lengthy terms under outdated sentencing disparities between crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. These disparities disproportionately impacted African-Americans, while lighter sentences were often given to white powder cocaine offenders.
The Hidden Dangers of Fluoride: What You Need to Know About This Common Ingredient
Biden’s Statement on Clemency Reform
In his public statement, President Biden emphasized the importance of correcting past injustices:
“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who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes.”
While Biden did not provide specific details on the exact criteria or timelines for the pardons, he stressed the importance of criminal justice reform and his commitment to righting historic wrongs.
Legislative Background and Sentencing Reforms
Biden’s past legislative history includes supporting bills in the 1980s that heightened drug-related penalties, particularly the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing.
However, since then, significant reforms have been introduced:
- The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 – Reduced sentencing disparities.
- The First Step Act of 2018 – Further addressed sentencing reforms and rehabilitative programs.
A Record-Breaking Presidential Action
Biden directly acknowledged the historic nature of this decision, stating:
“With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.”
He also hinted at future clemency efforts, confirming his ongoing review of additional pardon cases.
