Biden Commutes Sentences Of Nearly 2,500 People Convicted On Nonviolent Drug Charges

5 hours ago President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. Friday's clemency actions give Biden the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued. The Democrat says he's seeking to undo “disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today.” Biden also says he'll use the time before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Monday to “continue to review additional commutations and pardons.” That could potentially include preemptive pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by Trump’s Republican administration. Advocates cheer the prisoners' clemencies, saying Biden is leaving a "lasting legacy on criminal justice reform.”