Biden commutes 1,500 sentences in largest single-day act of clemency
President also pardons 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes and plans to wield clemency power again
Ed Pilkington
Thu 12 Dec 2024 08.55 EST
Joe Biden has carried out the largest act of presidential clemency on a single day in modern US history, commuting the sentences of almost 1,500 people and pardoning 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the White House said that Biden’s sweeping act of clemency was designed to “help reunite families, strengthen communities, and reintegrate individuals back into society”.
The almost 1,500 commutations ordered by the president all relate to people who were released from prisons and placed in home confinement during the Covid pandemic. Thousands of prisoners were released to their homes as an emergency measure under the Cares Act to prevent the rapid spread of coronavirus through federal prisons.
Each individual included in the new commutations had been serving their sentences at home for at least a year and had shown they were reunited with their families and were committed to rehabilitation, the White House said.
“These commutation recipients have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and have shown that they deserve a second chance,” they continued.
The commutations come at a time when Republicans in Congress have been pressing to send thousands of federal prisoners on home release back behind bars. Criminal justice reformers have protested that the home release program has been highly successful, with a rate of new offending at a mere fraction of the overall recidivism rate in federal prisons.
Under the commutations, the almost 1,500 Americans will retain their convictions but have their sentences reduced. The 39 people pardoned by Biden have had their guilty verdicts wholly erased.
💎🍾 (@TheRocSupremacy) posted at 3:53 PM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
Today, JAY-Z’s lawyer confirmed more inconsistencies in the lady’s story.
– The house she claimed she was at, does not exist and never did. (There are no mansions 20 minutes from Manhattan)
– She claimed to have watched the VMAS on the Jumbotron but there was no Jumbotron for that year .
https://t.co/ktiDbtKtdo
(https://x.com/TheRocSupremacy/status/1868776584964112812?t=M1uni37hwGeBaQYEmLlHtA&s=03)
Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) posted at 10:32 AM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
CONGRESS HISTORY: Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) uses AI tool to mirror her own voice in farewell speech on House floor.
@RepWexton has neurological disorder that affects her ability to speak … artificial intelligence allows her to speak using her old voice https://t.co/hDtyM7fdsK
(https://x.com/HowardMortman/status/1869058083231760887?t=HV0QpkR_z1qGMrxWMdphoA&s=03)
Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) posted at 10:20 AM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson – a three-time WNBA MVP and two-time league champion – is signing a six-year contract extension with Nike in one of the richest shoe deals for a women’s basketball player, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/oJRMJx7mRB
(https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1869054988930175404?t=cMLJVeOopHdN8lv21GKQ7w&s=03)
The Tennessee Holler
@TheTNHoller
WATCH: “Less than 10 out of 510,000”
As
@MarshaBlackburn
& senate Republicans predictably hijack a hearing about sports gambling and make it about trans athletes, the
@NCAA
president says there less than 10 total across 🇺🇸
https://x.com/TheTNHoller/status/1869086080982761476
Shadow Of The Nerdtree (@agraybee) posted at 0:02 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
We’re not going back to 2017 hyper-engagement where people got way too emotionally invested in things like who gets to be ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.
(https://x.com/agraybee/status/1869080841646952908?t=f_ECZqqH4SzeeMcNop_qyw&s=03)
Tim 🇺🇸 (@trouble_man90) posted at 1:18 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Like the media, leftists think they’re getting 2017-2020 resist liberals when in reality they’re not getting any liberals at all. We’re not marching, we’re not going to be huddling around the tv watching MSNBC for 8 hours a day. So much of their existence is based on what liberals do. They’re going to have to move forward without us.
(https://x.com/trouble_man90/status/1869099994914926703?t=loQ77ynsG1XvDBymBwT9LQ&s=03)
Sheila Bair (@SheilaBair2013) posted at 6:36 AM on Fri, Dec 13, 2024:
As a former Treasury official, big supporter of the Department, but it would not be a good home for deposit insurance. Deposit insurance is funded by bank premiums, not taxpayers. Treasury has no expertise in handling bank failures. Changing the guarantor would create confusion
(https://x.com/SheilaBair2013/status/1867549145281482881?t=61oEYShDdtnAkxcxj1VaOw&s=03)
Longtime Black Man Here (@groove_sdc) posted at 11:58 PM on Fri, Dec 13, 2024:
Make no mistakes these folks say “the establishment” cause they don’t want to say the word they really wanna say about Black Democrats.
And Cenk is no stranger to that word.
(https://x.com/groove_sdc/status/1867811339756089352?t=ZWX1pZqdGMXy008MSM4hZA&s=03)
Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) posted at 4:23 PM on Fri, Dec 13, 2024:
“Caitlin Clark became their avatar. She became their vessel to express a lot of their hateful and racist opinions that they had against black women, against queer women and about the WNBA overall. —They were never fans of hers.”
@jemelehill on why the reaction to Caitlin https://t.co/BxMVwlD30Y
(https://x.com/LeBatardShow/status/1867696900520214573?t=_SAYgzKH8yh8i01CnX1w6Q&s=03)
WGN Morning News (@WGNMorningNews) posted at 0:10 AM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
Millionaire Millennials and Gen X are more than twice as likely as millionaire baby boomers to prioritize sharing their wealth with the next generation, according to a new Charles Schwab study.
https://t.co/GL5VIGz3lH
(https://x.com/WGNMorningNews/status/1868176663541854317?t=K2c_MbkBPaRJJZSMFOZmJw&s=03)
Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) posted at 8:55 AM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
“Debra OConnell, the Disney executive who directly oversees ABC News, dined with Mr. Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, in Palm Beach last Monday, according to two people briefed on their interaction.” https://t.co/d4YvsSbg14
(https://x.com/BillKristol/status/1868308966880493669?t=7qWI6K_TINyKlTpL-Pb26Q&s=03)
Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) posted at 8:41 AM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
I know these CEOs think they have to bend the knee for business reasons, but Trump is going to humiliate them over and over again, and once you donate to him, you own part of the outcome of mass deportations, family separation and whatever else is to come. https://t.co/EUeDbYhGF0
(https://x.com/TVietor08/status/1868305483322253340?t=kchUgrXPGWhIeddZiB0AnA&s=03)
Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) posted at 7:17 PM on Sat, Dec 14, 2024:
ABC pays $15M to Trump for saying exactly what the judge in the E. Jean Carroll case said! Stunning capitulation! https://t.co/PZFtNUjowc
(https://x.com/NC5PhilWilliams/status/1868102951669321974?t=dPjSELf2idk7FkBEs24otg&s=03)
scary lawyerguy (@scarylawyerguy) posted at 9:03 AM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
In six months to a year, CNN and MSNBC will not exist as we have known them. Alienated reasonably minded people by signal boosting Trump (CNN) and leading the pitchfork brigade to boot out Biden & going full-blown apologist for Hamas (MSNBC). Love to see it. Fire all of them. https://t.co/rQdEMnEgJC
(https://x.com/scarylawyerguy/status/1868311026405449928?t=yYLduLpvVnlmOcnXvyfG8g&s=03)
waltb31 (docb2020 on Threads) waltb31.bsky.social (@waltb31) posted at 10:33 PM on Sat, Dec 14, 2024:
Pro Tip @ABC “News”: You cease being a news network when you’re intimidated by a tin pot wannabe fascist into not reporting about him. @realdonaldtrump is a criminal conman punk who’s all BS. You are an embarrassment to the 4th estate. David Brinkley is rolling over in his grave
(https://x.com/waltb31/status/1868152356120264899?t=VyD0H31pnRXh7Ubnu-Ue4g&s=03)
Michael Harriot (@michaelharriot) posted at 0:52 AM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
Travis Hunter became the first HBCU player to win the Heisman hours after Jackson State won its first HBCU national title, which is months before Shadeur will likely be the #1 pick in the NFL draft.
Remember when Deion Sanders ruined college football?
(https://x.com/michaelharriot/status/1868187313546621295?t=nCf3-58Rkh0FTln3Qo33jQ&s=03)
Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) posted at 1:43 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
BREAKING: CNN’s Geopolitical expert, Fareed Zakaria, just perfectly explained how President Biden’s global strategy has severely weakened Russia and our adversaries. This is huge. https://t.co/xBbXkXpgBc
(https://x.com/DemocraticWins/status/1868381293702254840?t=Gk30ODmFZUNwP21lNS2Slw&s=03)
Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) posted at 2:15 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
The top story on the NYT home page this afternoon: “Trump and His Picks Threaten More Lawsuits Over Critical Coverage”
Written by @davidenrich, who has a book coming out next year “the weaponization of libel law and the campaign to limit press freedoms.”
(https://x.com/brianstelter/status/1868389515326312795?t=IqEPeNSn2vo43jAlj4M5yQ&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 0:28 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski: “The approach is gonna be everybody toe the line, everybody line up, we got you here, and if you want to survive, you better be good, don’t get on Santa’s naughty list here because we will primary you.” https://t.co/nHNq76iUuT
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1868362432986398729?t=B8Exo-LoKMbI-HLeEmZ28w&s=03)
Lips so pursed.
Dana (@ChiliLimeQueso) posted at 8:47 AM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
The first bank in San Francisco was built by a Black man, a former slave. When I reached out to his descendants they asked me not to put their names in my episode because they don’t want people knowing a Black man founded their family wealth.
(https://x.com/ChiliLimeQueso/status/1868306865039515729?t=XA4qTQDUlMdQlvvyCRGAoA&s=03)
Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) posted at 7:34 AM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
MOSCOW EXCHANGE HITS NEW LOW
The Moscow Exchange has broken a new record for the year: Down to 2426 points.
🔥🔥 Russians are scared to invest as the economy heads for collapse. https://t.co/DrHulXntrI
(https://x.com/officejjsmart/status/1868651010325139744?t=uS-qlxAcF7Z_8N8rhG6Blw&s=03)
Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) posted at 2:10 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
Gen. Austin is a bona fide American patriot and leader. Shame he might be replaced by a guy who’s allegedly more skilled at mixing drinks and dodging accusations than managing national security—when he’s not moonlighting on Fox & Friends.
(https://x.com/ChrisDJackson/status/1868388173123928364?t=pYWIuQ4BZWYbvn2SfVtNjQ&s=03)
Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) posted at 1:25 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
I am proud of the work we have done to make the Affordable Care Act more accessible and more affordable for folks like Phoenix’s grandmother.
The deadline to enroll in coverage is January 15. Head to https://t.co/2Ls3d80By6 to sign up. https://t.co/1gN0TvT1ZC
(https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/1868376805809193125?t=p3YXlhDBsNx0sLkTLq4OPA&s=03)
Ben LaBolt (@WHCommsDir) posted at 7:09 AM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
In @TheProspect, @POTUS lays out how and why he threw out the trickle down economic playbook and instead invested in bottom up, middle out economics. https://t.co/U2C4YI8dSR
(https://x.com/WHCommsDir/status/1868644585435734073?t=oduahmK-NF9tblxKgXyTyA&s=03)
Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) posted at 7:11 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
🥂 Last night at the White House, President Biden ended the night with a beautiful toast containing an Irish prayer. ♥️
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we https://t.co/LYkNbpVNx4
(https://x.com/ChrisDJackson/status/1868463970207633716?t=eJ-aQ14sIZvR5t6h0NFJSg&s=03)
Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) posted at 9:05 PM on Sun, Dec 15, 2024:
Still waiting for Free Palestine protesters to go after Trump like they went after Biden and Harris.
WHERE YOU AT NOW?
Kamala lost like they wanted, meanwhile Trump tapped Mike Huckabee for Ambassador to Israel: “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.”
Trump himself isn’t ruling out Israel’s annexation of the West Bank—no two-state solution.
https://t.co/i48RicZCLb
(https://x.com/cwebbonline/status/1868492729120153977?t=mcnTyhq6fvCEECBYzX4Y-g&s=03)
Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) posted at 10:31 AM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
Final count: the 2024 election was decided by 229,766 votes across MI, PA and WI out of about 155.2 million cast nationally, with PA (Trump +1.7) the Electoral College tipping point state. https://t.co/QX5osPod0x
(https://x.com/Redistrict/status/1868695510384783372?t=egJAlISqPos8_rf_wM0tbA&s=03)
Good Morning Everyone 😊😊😊