In an exit maneuver that raised more than a few eyebrows, outgoing President Joe Biden issued the largest single-day clemency in U.S. history, pardoning 39 individuals and commuting the sentences of 1,500 others. Coming just days after his controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for a decade’s worth of federal offenses, this sweeping gesture sparked a fresh wave of criticism. According to the White House, this move aligns with Biden’s broader efforts to reform what he calls outdated sentencing laws. Critics, however, see it as another chapter in the president’s penchant for rewriting the rules when it suits him.
The majority of those granted clemency were reportedly serving time under house arrest, a pandemic-era policy initially aimed at reducing prison overcrowding. Biden claims that these individuals have been fully rehabilitated, reintegrated into their families, and are now pillars of their communities. How he arrived at these conclusions remains anyone’s guess, as the details of their so-called rehabilitation have not been disclosed. Instead, the president assured the public that these were cases of overly harsh sentences that warranted a “second chance.” The absence of transparency hasn’t exactly helped his case, especially as the names of the recipients remain under wraps.
Many of the pardoned were serving lengthy sentences for non-violent, drug-related crimes, but the timing and scale of the move raise questions about Biden’s intentions. The president also hinted that this is just the beginning, with more pardons likely on the way. Speculation is already swirling about who might benefit next, with names like Adam Schiff, Liz Cheney, and Anthony Fauci being floated as potential recipients. Biden’s statements about advancing “equal justice under the law” might sound noble, but critics argue it’s nothing more than an attempt to protect political allies and shield them from incoming President Donald Trump’s promised reckoning.
Of course, Biden’s most controversial pardon remains that of his son, Hunter Biden. The decision came despite repeated assurances from the president that he wouldn’t interfere in the justice system. The move has been a public relations disaster for the Democratic Party, with even some of Biden’s staunchest supporters expressing unease. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, never one to miss a moment to jab at his opponents, has already questioned whether the January 6th protesters deserve the same treatment as Hunter Biden. He has also promised to pardon them all on his first day in office—a bold pledge that his supporters have taken to heart.
While Biden touts his clemency spree as a step toward fairness and justice, the lack of transparency and the overtly political undertones suggest otherwise. For many, it’s hard to see this as anything other than a legacy-polishing effort in the twilight of a presidency marred by controversies. As Biden prepares to exit stage left, he leaves behind a Democratic Party forced to explain away his last-minute flurry of pardons while bracing for the political storm sure to follow Trump’s return to power.
