US President Joe Biden commuted nearly 1,500 prison sentences and pardoned 39 people in what the White House described as the largest single-day pardon in the country’s modern history.
In a statement Thursday, Biden said he had chosen to pardon 39 people who had demonstrated successful rehabilitation as well as a commitment to making their communities stronger and safer.
He will also commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison terms many of whom would have received lesser sentences if charged under today's existing laws, policies and practices, he said.
The White House said the transfers were made for people who were under house arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday's announcement came less than two weeks after Biden pardoned his son Hunter on gun and tax evasion charges and vowed, he would not.
Republicans seized on the decision, attacking the Democratic president for using his power to shield a family member from legal judgments. Hey, accused Biden of applying a separate standard of justice to those with political connections.
The Biden administration denied the allegations, saying the prosecution of Hunter Biden was political in nature.
