Biden shortens sentences for nearly 2,500 people, setting a record

Source: NPR

January 17, 2025 5:00 AM ET


President Biden announced on Friday that he is commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug crimes who are serving far longer sentences than they would receive today.

"With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history," Biden said in a statement, hinting there may be more to come before he leaves office on Monday. "I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons," he said.

Last month, Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 federal prisoners to life in prison without parole. He also commuted 1,500 prison sentences and pardoned 39 people in what the White House called the largest act of clemency in a single day in modern presidential history.

The individuals receiving clemency on Friday had received sentences that were longer than they would be under current laws and policies, the White House said.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/17/g-s1-41788/biden-pardons-commutations-drug-sentences