President Biden on Friday made history by commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals, marking the highest number of pardons and commutations granted by any U.S. president.

The recipients of Biden’s latest clemency action are predominantly nonviolent drug offenders, whose sentences the president described as excessively harsh compared to penalties under current laws and policies.

“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in an official statement.

“This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars,” the president added.

Biden also expressed pride in his clemency record and hinted that additional actions might follow before his term ends, with three days remaining until Donald Trump’s inauguration.

“I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons,” he stated.

Biden’s extensive use of clemency powers has stirred debate throughout his presidency, earning both praise and criticism.

One of his most controversial decisions came last month when he pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for any crimes he “has committed or may have committed” between 2014 and 2024. This pardon followed Hunter’s convictions for federal gun and tax charges last year.

In December, Biden also commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 inmates on federal death row, including individuals convicted of mass murder and heinous crimes against children. These sentences were reduced to life imprisonment without parole.

Earlier that month, Biden granted what has been described as the “largest single-day grant of clemency” in U.S. history. On December 12, he commuted the sentences of 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, many of whom had been transferred to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these actions, clemency requests remain high. As of January 13, the Department of Justice reported 1,947 individuals awaiting pardons post-sentence and 6,625 cases pending commutation review.

In comparison, President-elect Donald Trump issued 144 pardons and 94 commutations during his first term. Former President Barack Obama granted 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations over the course of his two terms in office.

{Matzav.com}