Biden Commutes Sentences for 2,500 Drug Offenders

President Joe Biden has announced the commutation of sentences for nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders, focusing on those convicted under outdated sentencing laws concerning crack cocaine. This clemency aims to address past racial disparities and excessive sentencing lengths compared to current laws, as highlighted by the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 and the First Step Act of 2018. Biden's actions make him the president with the most individual pardons and commutations in U.S. history, aligning with his administration's criminal justice reform efforts. Criticism has emerged over Biden's clemency practices, particularly following his pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and gun crimes. The clemency follows Biden's earlier commutation of 1,500 sentences and 37 federal death row inmates' sentences, demonstrating his commitment to addressing sentencing injustices. This move has been encouraged by Congressional Democrats, who argue that the harsher penalties for crack cocaine have disproportionately affected communities of color.