From the Associated Press: President Joe Biden announced Friday that he was commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, using his final days in office on a flurry of clemency actions meant to nullify prison terms he deemed too harsh.
The recent round of clemency gives Biden the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued. The Democrat said he is seeking to undo “disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice.”
“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who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in a statement. “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.”
Indicating more may be yet to come, Biden’s statement concludes, “I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons.”
Today, I’m commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses.
This is an important step toward righting historic wrongs and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their communities after far too much time behind bars. pic.twitter.com/q7mtuyWKl2
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 17, 2025
President Joe Biden announced that he was commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.
The recent round of clemency gives Biden the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued. https://t.co/i7u5bagngS
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 17, 2025
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