Outgoing United States President Joe Biden announced Thursday, December 12, that he would pardon 39 people convicted of non-violent offenses and commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 others who were serving long prison sentences. Last week, the president sparked controversy by granting an unconditional pardon to his son Hunter, accused of, among other things, tax fraud.
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Before leaving the White House, two weeks after the controversial pardon of his son, Joe Biden announces new pardons and commutes prison sentences. He does it in unprecedented proportions. 39 pardons and 1,500 sentence reductions.
“ As President, I have the great privilege of granting clemency to individuals who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring the opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities “, declared Joe Biden. The president added that he would take further action in the coming weeks and that his administration would continue to review requests for clemency.
The White House said President Joe Biden’s pardons were the most ever granted in a single day.
Pardons are for convictions for non-violent crimes. The administration explains these choices in the name of the right to a second chance. Sentences are commuted for convicts who were already serving them at home since the Covid 19 pandemic and because these people have shown that they are engaged with their community.
This decision almost two weeks after the pardon granted by the president to his son Hunter contrary to what he had always said. He was widely criticized for this.
Also readUnited States: Joe Biden pardons his son Hunter in cases of tax fraud and illegal possession of a firearm
The White House also indicates that other clemency measures are to be expected. Organizations opposed to the death penalty are calling for such measures in particular because Donald Trump and his entourage who arrive at the White House have always been firmly in favor of capital punishment.
Finally, it has been rumored for several days that the president is studying the possibility of granting preventive pardons to Donald Trump’s political adversaries whom his team announces it wants to pursue. The president-elect himself said that the members of the January 6 special commission should, in his opinion, go to prison.