President Joe Biden’s Pardons: Complete List and Updates
President Joe Biden has recently made headlines by granting a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing for two criminal cases. This decision represents a significant departure from his previous assurances not to pardon or commute his son’s sentence, setting the stage for a bold and unprecedented move by the 82-year-old President.
The announcement came on Sunday, Dec. 1, when President Biden signed the pardon for his son, stating, “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” Biden went on to express his hope that Americans would understand his decision as both a father and a President.
As his presidency nears its end, many are left wondering who else President Biden has chosen to pardon during his tenure. Let’s delve into the details of this controversial decision and explore the broader implications of executive clemency in the United States.
### What Is a Pardon?
A federal pardon is a powerful tool granted to the President of the United States under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. This clemency power allows the President to pardon all federal criminal offenses, excluding those related to impeachment. Acts of clemency encompass a range of relief measures, including amnesty, reprieves, commutations, and pardons—the most comprehensive form of legal forgiveness.
In total, President Biden has granted clemency to 25 individuals and commuted 132 sentences during his time in office, as reported by the Justice Department. This includes his son, Hunter Biden, who faced potential federal prison time for charges related to gun possession and tax fraud.
### Who Did Biden Pardon?
President Biden’s clemency actions have touched many lives, including entire groups of individuals. In a significant move, he pardoned over 6,500 people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal and D.C. laws in 2022, expanding this measure in 2023. Additionally, he issued a blanket pardon for LGBTQ+ service members discharged from the military due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
As for Hunter Biden, the 54-year-old received a full and unconditional pardon, sparing him from a lengthy prison sentence. The full list of individuals pardoned by President Biden can be accessed on the Department of Justice website for further details.
### How Many Pardons Did Trump Issue in His First Term?
During his four-year tenure in the White House, former President Donald Trump issued a total of 237 acts of clemency, comprising 143 pardons and 94 commutations. Some of Trump’s most high-profile pardons included individuals like Steve Bannon, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and Charles Kushner.
For a detailed list of individuals pardoned by former President Trump, visit the Department of Justice website.
