Biden commutes sentences of record number of people
US President Joe Biden on Thursday commutes the sentences of nearly 1,500 people: their sentences were reduced, 39 people had their sentences completely remitted.
Those involved had been convicted of non-violent crimes. Some had already been under house arrest for at least a year during the corona pandemic and had successfully reintegrated into society afterwards.
This is the largest one-day pardon in modern history, the White House said. Previously, Biden had faced criticism, including within his own party, for pardoning his son Hunter Biden who was convicted of gun possession and income tax evasion.
Pardoning at the end of a presidential term is a common practice. Previous presidents such as Barack Obama and Donald Trump also did so, but at significantly lower numbers.
(Fausto by Tagtik/Source: NYT, NRC/Illustration picture: Pixabay)