Biden commutes sentences of 1,500 people, pardons nearly 40 in record day of clemency

President Biden said Thursday he is commuting the sentences of 1,500 people, the most ever in a single day. He is also pardoning 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes.

“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Biden flexed his clemency powers weeks after he did an about-face and pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and gun offenses despite saying for months he would not grant him relief.