WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has granted clemency to 16 people who were convicted of non-violent drug crimes, issuing pardons to 11 men and women and commuting the sentences of five other people in the latest use of his clemency power to address racial disparities in the justice system.
Biden said in a statement Wednesday that April is Second Chance Month and that many of the individuals getting clemency had received “disproportionately longer” sentences than they would have under current law.
The Democratic president is campaigning for reelection in November and is grappling with how to boost support from communities of color that heavily supported him over Republican Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The two rivals are headed for a likely rematch in November.
“Like my other clemency actions, these pardons and commutations reflect my overarching commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety,” Biden said.
RFK Jr says he loves his family ‘either way’ after relatives endorse Biden
Singing 'Red Ballads' to Carry Forward Revolutionary Spirit
Volunteers from Taiwan Help Promote Beijing 2022
Hairy Biker Dave Myers left wife Liliana £1.4m it's revealed
Millennial Chinese Nurse Striving to Improve Self
CBA: Liaoning clinch best regular season record
Grassroots Doctor Taking Care of Villagers for Decades
Josef Newgarden’s win in IndyCar’s season
Verstappen grabs pole in Japan for Red Bull one
The summer after Barbenheimer and the strikes, Hollywood charts a new course
Village Official Helps Farmers Escape Poverty by Growing Fruits, Vegetables