Biden to announce clemency for around 1,500 people – including pardons for 39 convicted of non-violent crimes

President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that he is commuting the sentences of some 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes, CNN has learned – marking a broad use of the presidential clemency power just weeks from the end of Biden’s presidency.

President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that he is commuting the sentences of some 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes, CNN has learned – marking a broad use of the presidential clemency power just weeks from the end of Biden’s administration. The president, who has come under growing pressure to grant more clemencies before he leaves office, will also promise that additional action will be announced in the weeks to come. The nearly 1,500 individuals whose long sentences will be commuted Thursday were placed on home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic, and were deemed to have demonstrated a clear commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities, sources said. The 39 people being pardoned were convicted of non-violent crimes, and considered to have demonstrated records of meaningfully giving back to the country. “They are individuals who have secured employment, advanced their education, served as caretakers for their children and family members, and have really reintegrated into the tapestry of their communities,” an administration official familiar with the announcement told CNN. “They include individuals who faced incredible challenges in life and have really now shown resilience and seeking to overcome those challenges.” While CNN has not obtained a full list of names of the clemency recipients, sources provided several examples of individuals being pardoned. Among them: A decorated military veteran described as having devoted much of his time helping members of his community including the sick and elderly; a nurse who is said to have helped during natural disasters and was at the forefront of vaccination efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic; as well as an addiction counselor recognized for his dedication to mentoring young men of color.