Biden’s Clemency Moves Sparked Backlash Within His Own Justice Department

[Social Media]

 

As his presidency drew to a close, Joe Biden sought to correct what he and his advisers saw as a major injustice by commuting the sentences of thousands of individuals incarcerated for drug offenses. The decision was meant to be historic, a reflection of Biden’s belief in second chances and the need for criminal justice reform. However, within the Justice Department, the move triggered frustration and dismay, with officials arguing that many of those granted clemency had violent pasts and did not meet the department’s usual standards for such mercy.  

 

On his final Friday in office, Biden commuted nearly 2,500 prison sentences, stating that the decision would reunite individuals serving disproportionately harsh sentences for nonviolent offenses with their families and communities. “I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,” Biden declared.  

 

Despite the bold action, the process was met with sharp internal criticism. Only 258 of those granted clemency—around 10%—had been recommended by the Justice Department. According to an internal email dated January 18 and viewed by *The Wall Street Journal*, Biden’s list included individuals with violent histories who would not have qualified under the department’s usual guidelines.  

 

Elizabeth Oyer, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney, addressed the concerns in an email to U.S. attorneys across the country, acknowledging the frustration among prosecutors. “While I am a strong believer in the possibility of second chances through clemency, the process by which yesterday’s action was carried out was not what we had hoped and advocated for,” she wrote in the message, which was marked “confidential and law enforcement sensitive.” She further admitted, “I understand that some of the clemency grants are very upsetting.”  

 

Some of those granted commutations were released within days, while others will be freed in the coming months. In certain cases, Biden opted to reduce sentences rather than eliminate them entirely, leaving some inmates to serve additional years behind bars. However, concerns grew over the inclusion of individuals accused of severe crimes beyond drug offenses, including gang-related activities, sexual violence, and conspiracy to commit murder.  

 

“This action was not carried out in consultation with the Office of the Pardon Attorney and there was little coordination with the Department,” Oyer wrote in her email. She acknowledged that while many recipients were deserving of clemency, others were not, adding that the White House disregarded the Justice Department’s recommendations—choosing individuals who had been explicitly rejected while overlooking hundreds of those whom the department had endorsed.  

 

Oyer’s criticisms held particular weight within the department, given her background as a federal public defender. Her 2022 appointment was intended to bring a defense lawyer’s perspective to the clemency process and improve efficiency in reviewing petitions. The backlash to Biden’s commutations only intensified scrutiny of his last-minute executive decisions, adding to existing controversy over his pardons for family members.

 

In addition to commuting sentences, Biden preemptively pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who had been found guilty of gun offenses and pleaded guilty to tax charges, as well as his three siblings and their spouses, none of whom were facing legal charges at the time.  

 

The response to Biden’s actions underscores the tensions between the White House’s vision for justice reform and the Justice Department’s established protocols. While the commutations were celebrated by advocates for sentencing reform, they left many within the administration grappling with the ramifications of a clemency process that, in their view, was rushed and lacked proper oversight.

 

Based on a report by WSJ 2025-02-04

 

 

[Captor]

It can not be fun to be an attorney or police in US!

[The Old Bull]

In the US throwing people in jail is a business. Putting people in jail for a bag of weed costs the tax payers dearly, money that could be spent on health and education.

[JonnyF]

I guess he has misguided sympathy for gun toting, drug taking, prostitute using degenerates, given how his (now pardoned) son turned out.

 

Thank goodness Trump won. 

[Thingamabob]

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I guess he has misguided sympathy for gun toting, drug taking, prostitute using degenerates, given how his (now pardoned) son turned out.

 

Thank goodness Trump won. 

Also, still no explanation as to how the Bidens amassed a fortune approaching 30 million USD.

[Yagoda]

30 minutes ago, The Old Bull said:

In the US throwing people in jail is a business. Putting people in jail for a bag of weed costs the tax payers dearly, money that could be spent on health and education.

Dont know how many weed dealers were let out, but child pornographers and murderers of FBI agents were shown consideration.

 

The natural constituency of the Socialists. Socially friendly you know.

[JonnyF]

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Also, still no explanation as to how the Bidens amassed a fortune approaching 30 million USD.

 

Indeed. In Thailand I think they call it "unusually wealthy".

 

What's more, I bet that's the tip of the iceberg. I'd wager the rest of the Biden crime family have sizeable stashes tucked away as well. 

[Gandtee]

56 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Indeed. In Thailand I think they call it "unusually wealthy".

 

What's more, I bet that's the tip of the iceberg. I'd wager the rest of the Biden crime family have sizeable stashes tucked away as well. 

I would suggest most politicians. Are there any poor ones?

[LukKrueng]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

prostitute using degenerates,

Mods might ban you for insulting AN members....