Following President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, calls are growing for the president to extend similar clemency to thousands of individuals believed to be wrongly convicted or serving excessive sentences in the U.S. justice system. Civil rights activists, lawmakers, and defense attorneys are intensifying efforts to secure pardons and sentence commutations, particularly for nonviolent offenders and those identified as unjustly incarcerated.
The White House is reportedly considering broader pardons, including for individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses. Discussions about this initiative are ongoing, with groups such as the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP pushing for clemency, citing the disproportionate incarceration of African Americans.
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, highlighted ongoing conversations about clemency efforts before Biden’s term ends. Last year, Biden pardoned thousands of people with federal marijuana charges, setting a precedent for similar actions.
While some Republicans argue that blanket pardons could undermine the criminal justice system, many Democrats, including House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Ayanna Pressley, are urging swift action. Legal experts caution that Biden’s pardon power may face political challenges, but any action taken could significantly shape his presidential legacy.