Joe Biden’s clemency wave has begun. The lame-duck president will continue to announce pardons and sentence commutations before he leaves office on January 20. Biden has already pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, as well as dozens of other people convicted of nonviolent crimes. He has also commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people. More are expected. It’s also possible that Biden will preemptively pardon government officials whom incoming president Donald Trump has vowed to retaliate against, and criminal justice activists are pushing for Biden to protect others, as well. Below is everyone Biden has announced clemency for thus far.
Pardons
39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes
On December 12, Biden pardoned another 39 people who, according to the White House, “were convicted of non-violent crimes, including drug offenses, and have turned their lives around”:
These individuals are parents, veterans, health care professionals, teachers, advocates, and engaged members of their communities. Many of them have used their experiences in the criminal justice system to inspire and encourage others.
Most of the people pardoned committed drug offenses in their early 20s or younger. The full list of the 39 people, along with short biographies provided by the White House, is here.
Hunter Biden
Biden’s most controversial pardon, by far, has been for his son. On December 1, the president ordered a broad pardon for Hunter Biden despite having vowed he would never do that. Hunter was about to be sentenced on federal tax evasion and gun charges, but Biden’s pardon went beyond that — “For those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024” — in an effort to protect his son from additional charges that might be brought by the incoming Trump administration.
Commutations
Nearly 1,500 who were released to home confinement during the pandemic
On December 12, Biden commuted the sentences of 1,499 people who “have been serving their sentences at home for at least one year under the COVID-era CARES Act. These Americans have been reunited with their families and shown their commitment to rehabilitation by securing employment and advancing their education.”
The Biden administration claimed this was the most people ever granted clemency on a single day, but previous categorical grants of clemency by Biden and former president Jimmy Carter affected more people. It’s the third time Biden has commuted the sentences of people who were moved to home confinement amid the pandemic.
As the New York Times notes, some GOP lawmakers in Congress have pushed for legislation to send people who were released to home confinement during the COVID pandemic back to prison.
