The outgoing President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Friday granted clemency to at least 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offences in what the White House called the largest single-day act of clemency in US history.
Biden, in a statement, said those whose sentences were commuted were serving disproportionately long sentences compared to what they would receive.
He described the move as an important step toward righting historical wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals with the opportunity to return to their families.
“With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in US history,” Biden said.
The outgoing president added that he may issue further commutations or pardons before he hands over power to President-elect Donald Trump on Monday.
Arogidigba Global Journal recalls that Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others last month.
Among those pardoned in December was Biden’s son Hunter, who was facing a possible prison sentence after being convicted of gun and tax crimes.
Meanwhile, Biden has reportedly been debating whether to issue blanket pardons for some allies and former officials amid fears they could be targeted for what Trump has previously called retribution.
Arogidigba Global Journal recalls that Biden, in December, commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 inmates on federal death row.