Biden Commutes Leonard Peltier's Life Sentence, Activist Gains Home Confinement

In his final moments in office, President Joe Biden commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist convicted of the 1975 murders of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Peltier has spent nearly 50 years in prison, maintaining his innocence and arguing that his trial was marred by misconduct and errors. The commutation allows him to serve his remaining days in home confinement but does not grant a pardon for his underlying crimes. The case has been a focal point for Indigenous rights activists and numerous public figures, including human rights organizations, who have long advocated for his release. Supporters believe his conviction symbolizes the broader struggles faced by Native Americans, while critics, including the FBI, argue that justice was served. Biden's decision has been interpreted as a step towards healing and reconciliation with Native American communities.