Lawmakers Urge Biden to Grant Clemency

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) is advocating for President Biden to use his clemency powers to grant relief to thousands of incarcerated individuals, particularly following his recent pardon of Hunter Biden. Pressley emphasizes the plight of those serving time for nonviolent offenses and the disproportionate impact of mass incarceration on Black and brown communities. Nearly 70 lawmakers have supported this call, urging Biden to act before the end of his presidency to reform the unjust legal system. Additionally, organizations like Catholic Mobilizing Network are pushing for Biden to commute the sentences of the 40 inmates on federal death row, aligning with his campaign promise to end capital punishment. Advocates argue that both clemency and the abolition of the death penalty are essential to achieving meaningful criminal justice reform and addressing long-standing injustices. With only weeks left in his term, Biden's decisions on these matters could define his legacy on justice issues.