As President Joe Biden approaches the end of his time in office, he’s leaving a legacy marked by compassion for those serving long, often unfair federal prison sentences. His latest move shows a commitment to justice while sparking some controversy along the way.
On Thursday, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 nonviolent offenders. These individuals had been serving time at home under the CARES Act, a COVID-era measure that allowed certain prisoners to complete their sentences outside of federal facilities. Additionally, 39 people received pardons, giving them a chance to move forward without the weight of a federal conviction. These actions are in line with Biden’s earlier decisions, like pardoning minor marijuana offenses and service members punished for their sexual orientation.
The White House explained that many of these commuted sentences would have been shorter if handed down under today’s laws. In some cases, the crimes no longer exist or are seen as far less serious by modern standards. This acknowledgment of past injustices reflects a broader understanding that punishment should fit the crime and provide a path to rehabilitation, not simply lock people away for decades.
This approach highlights Biden’s belief that the justice system should aim for fairness and proportionality. After all, excessively long sentences for minor offenses don’t make anyone safer—they just strip people of the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
However, not all of Biden’s recent acts of clemency have been as warmly received. His decision to grant a full pardon to his son Hunter Biden for charges he hadn’t even been sentenced for raised eyebrows. Critics argue it contradicted Biden’s earlier promises to respect the judicial process and undermined his broader message of justice. Some believe this move damaged his legacy by appearing self-serving and fueling partisan conspiracy theories.
There’s still one bold step Biden could take before leaving office: commuting federal death row sentences to life imprisonment. His predecessor, Donald Trump, oversaw 13 federal executions during his final days in office—a rare and irreversible punishment. While some argue there are cases where the death penalty is warranted, mistakes and changing laws make it a fraught area of the justice system.
Meanwhile, Trump has hinted that, if elected again, he plans to use his pardon powers to free those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. In contrast, Biden’s recent actions set a more hopeful example of using executive clemency to correct injustices and offer second chances.
