The President Joe Biden he has now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in history, after announcing on Friday that 2,500 non-violent drug offenders were being pardoned.
Biden said in the announcement — which came three days before the end of his term — that nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses are being commuted and are “serving disproportionately long sentences compared to what they would have received under current law.” , policy and practice”.
He did not provide additional details about the exact number of people who would be affected by the clemency, the timeframes involved or any criteria used to assess pardons.
President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on January 15, 2025, in Washington.
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“Today’s clemency action provides relief to people who have received long sentences based on the neglected distinction between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentences for drug offenses,” Biden wrote.
In the 1980s, Biden passed several bills that increased the penalties for drug users, including one that lengthened sentences for crack cocaine users, primarily African-Americans, compared to those convicted of using powder cocaine, which were predominantly white.
Since then, Congress has tried to resolve the disparity in sentencing Fair Sentencing Act 2010 and Act of the First Step of 2018
“This action is an important step in righting historical wrongs, correcting disparities in sentencing, and providing deserving individuals with the opportunity to return to their families and communities after too much time has passed without reference to their background. .
He also admitted that the decision will set a historical precedent.
“With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in US history,” Biden said in the statement.
Noting that he has not yet exhausted his pardon power, Biden also wrote that he will “continue to review additional pardons and commutations.”
