The sentences of almost 1,500 other individuals were commuted.
According to the White House, it was the most presidential clemency acts granted in a single day. It follows Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter Biden, his own son.
The broad “power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment” is a constitutional mandate of the United States.
Biden stated individuals who were pardoned had “shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer” on the announcement of the decision.
According to the White House, 39 people on the pardon list had either committed a “non-violent offense” or a “non-violent drug offense.” The precise offenses for which they were found guilty were not mentioned.
