US President Joe Biden is granting clemency to approximately 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses just days before leaving office.
Biden stated that these offenders were serving excessively long sentences compared to current standards and that his decision aimed to address historical injustices.
In a statement released on Friday, Biden highlighted that his actions marked a historic milestone, surpassing the number of individual pardons and commutations issued by any previous US president.
This move follows a recent decision by the outgoing president to commute the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates and grant numerous pardons and commutations in December, including one for his son Hunter Biden.
President Biden underscored that Friday's clemency initiative particularly impacted individuals who had received prolonged sentences due to outdated distinctions in drug sentencing laws.
He emphasized that recent legislative efforts have signaled a shift towards addressing disparities in drug-related sentencing.
The president's evolving stance, shaped by his years in public office, reflects changing perspectives on the US "war on drugs," which notably led to harsh penalties for drug crimes, disproportionately affecting minority communities since the 1970s.
"This action represents a crucial step in rectifying past injustices, alleviating sentencing imbalances, and offering deserving individuals the chance to reunite with their families and communities after enduring prolonged periods of incarceration," Biden stated on Friday.
"I take pride in my track record on clemency and am committed to further reviewing and granting commutations and pardons."