A Detailed Look at President Joe Biden’s Clemency Record and Its Impact on the American Justice System
Americans have been asking one key question as President Joe Biden’s term nears its end — how many people did Biden pardon? While the number of traditional pardons may appear modest, the broader picture reveals a sweeping use of presidential clemency powers aimed at reforming outdated sentencing laws, restoring rights, and giving second chances to thousands of Americans.
As of November 2025, President Biden has granted roughly 80 full pardons. However, when you include sentence commutations — which reduce prison terms or change conditions of release — the total number of clemency actions exceeds 4,000. This makes Biden’s clemency record one of the largest in modern American history, and a defining part of his approach to criminal justice reform.
Understanding What a Presidential Pardon Means
Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to clarify what qualifies as a pardon — and how it differs from other forms of clemency.
- A pardon completely forgives a federal conviction and restores the recipient’s civil rights, including the right to vote, own firearms, and hold public office.
- A commutation reduces the length of a prison sentence but does not erase the conviction itself.
Biden’s clemency policy leaned heavily toward commutations, reflecting his belief that too many Americans were serving unnecessarily long sentences, especially for nonviolent and drug-related offenses. His use of pardons, while smaller in number, was more symbolic — targeting individuals who had demonstrated long-term rehabilitation or whose convictions reflected injustices of earlier eras.
How Many People Did Biden Pardon: The Official Numbers
The straightforward answer to how many people did Biden pardon is approximately 80 individuals. However, those 80 cases only tell a small part of the story.
| Type of Clemency | Number Granted | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Full Pardons | ~80 | Erased convictions and restored rights |
| Commutations | ~4,000 | Shortened prison sentences or released individuals early |
| Total Clemency Actions | 4,000+ | Includes all pardons, commutations, and related relief orders |
This number of total clemency actions — over four thousand — makes Biden one of the most active presidents in recent history when it comes to using this constitutional power.
Why Biden Focused More on Commutations Than Pardons
Biden’s clemency philosophy diverged from traditional presidential practice. Rather than issuing individual, case-by-case pardons for prominent figures or political allies, he emphasized large-scale relief for people affected by outdated federal sentencing policies.
1. Reforming Drug Sentences
A major part of Biden’s clemency record is tied to correcting overly harsh punishments from the “War on Drugs” era. Thousands of commutations were granted to nonviolent drug offenders, many of whom had already served decades behind bars.
2. Marijuana Possession Pardons
One of Biden’s most notable acts came in 2022, when he granted a broad, category-based pardon for all federal offenses involving simple marijuana possession. The order affected thousands of Americans, clearing records and opening up opportunities for employment, housing, and education.
3. Prioritizing Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Biden’s pardons often focused on people who had proven themselves after their convictions. Many had maintained clean records for years, contributed to their communities, or served in the military. The administration framed these pardons as part of a broader national effort to restore dignity and opportunity.
4. The “Second Chance” Initiative
Biden launched his “Second Chance” initiative in 2024, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment. This initiative led to the largest single-day clemency action in modern U.S. history, where more than 1,500 people received commutations and 39 received full pardons.
The Biggest Clemency Events During Biden’s Presidency
December 12, 2024: Historic Clemency Day
On this date, Biden issued 39 pardons and over 1,500 commutations in one sweeping action. The move focused on individuals serving sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, many of whom had already been on home confinement since the pandemic.
This moment reflected Biden’s belief that “justice should not be static” and that individuals who have shown rehabilitation deserve a genuine second chance.
January 2025: Additional Sentence Reductions
In early 2025, Biden granted nearly 2,500 additional commutations, expanding relief to inmates who had completed rehabilitation programs or were nearing release. While these were not pardons, they showcased his commitment to large-scale justice reform.
Marijuana Possession Pardons
In addition to the thousands affected by his blanket order, Biden also issued individual pardons for federal marijuana possession cases that fell outside of the category-based relief. These actions helped solidify his role in changing the federal government’s approach to cannabis-related crimes.
Who Received Pardons Under Biden
While many clemency recipients were everyday Americans with nonviolent convictions, some notable individuals were also included in the list of those pardoned by Biden.
Among them were:
- Military veterans convicted of minor federal offenses decades ago.
- Public servants and first responders who had records preventing them from employment opportunities.
- Individuals convicted under outdated laws that no longer align with current sentencing guidelines.
Biden’s pardons were far less political than those of his predecessors. He deliberately avoided controversial or high-profile cases involving political allies, focusing instead on systemic fairness.
How Biden’s Record Compares to Past Presidents
When analyzing how many people did Biden pardon, it helps to compare his record with that of recent presidents:
| President | Pardons Granted | Commutations Granted | Total Clemency Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama | 212 | 1,715 | 1,927 |
| Donald Trump | 94 | 117 | 211 |
| Joe Biden | ~80 | ~4,000 | 4,080+ |
While Biden’s total number of pardons is smaller than Obama’s, his overall clemency actions far exceed those of any other modern president. His approach focused on breadth over symbolism, prioritizing large groups of nonviolent offenders rather than headline-making cases.
Public and Political Reactions
Support from Criminal Justice Reform Advocates
Reform advocates have praised Biden’s actions as bold, compassionate, and long overdue. They argue that his large-scale commutations and pardons correct decades of injustice stemming from racially biased sentencing laws.
Supporters also note that Biden’s strategy reflects public opinion: polls consistently show that most Americans support pardons for nonviolent drug offenses and favor rehabilitation over lengthy incarceration.
Criticism from Opponents
Critics, however, accuse Biden of being too lenient, arguing that mass commutations may undermine deterrence. Some Republicans have expressed concern that broad clemency actions could allow individuals with repeat offenses to re-enter society too soon.
Others argue that while Biden’s numbers are impressive, he should have granted more full pardons rather than focusing on commutations — since only pardons can fully erase a conviction and restore all civil rights.
Balancing Justice and Politics
Biden has defended his decisions by saying, “Clemency is not a gift; it’s a recognition that justice evolves.” His team emphasizes that all recipients underwent careful background reviews to ensure eligibility.
The Broader Impact on American Justice
Biden’s clemency actions are part of a broader shift in federal policy — moving from mass incarceration toward restorative justice.
- Reentry Support: Many pardon and commutation recipients were connected with reentry programs offering housing, job placement, and counseling.
- Economic Opportunities: By clearing criminal records, pardons improved access to jobs, college aid, and small business loans.
- Social Reform: Biden’s actions helped destigmatize federal drug convictions and encouraged state-level reforms nationwide.
In many ways, the question how many people did Biden pardon reflects not just statistics, but a transformation in how America views rehabilitation and redemption.
Conclusion
So, how many people did Biden pardon? The answer is approximately 80 full pardons, but his clemency actions — including thousands of commutations — have impacted over 4,000 Americans.
This record places Joe Biden among the most active presidents in U.S. history when it comes to granting mercy. His approach emphasizes fairness, second chances, and the belief that justice should evolve alongside society.
Whether one sees it as bold reform or political overreach, Biden’s legacy in clemency will be remembered for reshaping how America defines justice, forgiveness, and the power of redemption.
Do you believe President Biden used his pardon power effectively, or should he have gone even further? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for more updates on how these actions continue to shape the justice system.