US judiciary
Biden’s major pardon before leaving office
Updated 12/12/2024 – 7:55 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A U.S. president has the authority to shorten the sentences of perpetrators convicted under federal law or to pardon those convicted entirely. Joe Biden is now making use of this on a large scale.
A few weeks before he left office, US President Joe Biden issued large-scale pardons for convicted criminals. The White House said Biden shortened the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, more than ever before in a single day.
The approximately 1,500 offenders are people who have been serving their sentences in house arrest since the corona pandemic and have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities. The 39 pardon cases involve convictions for non-violent crimes. The White House released the names of everyone affected.
A US president has the authority to shorten the sentences of perpetrators convicted under federal law or to pardon those convicted entirely – even after serving a sentence. The latter involves, for example, lifting possible restrictions or sanctions that apply to former criminals and publicly rehabilitating their reputation.
Biden had already issued pardons and reduced sentences several times during his term in office. It is quite common for a president to use this power, especially before leaving office. Biden announced that he would consider further requests for clemency in the coming weeks. The Democrat leaves office on January 20th and then hands over to the Republican Donald Trump.
Biden caused a particular stir when, contrary to previous statements, he pardoned his son Hunter at the beginning of December. After being found guilty of weapons law violations, the 54-year-old president’s son also pleaded guilty to various tax offenses in a second trial. His father saved him from prison – and from potential prosecution on possible other charges – with a very wide-ranging pardon.
