Biden’s Historic Day: Clemency Granted to Nearly 2,500 Individuals

A Landmark Decision: President Biden’s Clemency for Nearly 2,500 People

On January 17, 2025, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. This significant act of clemency aims to address past disparities in drug-related convictions, particularly those involving crack and powder cocaine. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) praised this decision, highlighting its impact on communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

This action follows previous clemency measures by President Biden. In December 2024, he commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without parole and pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes. Additionally, he commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others who were serving long prison terms.

With these recent commutations, President Biden has granted more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in U.S. history. He emphasized the importance of correcting sentencing disparities and providing second chances to those who have demonstrated rehabilitation.