USA Major pardon campaign by Biden before leaving office

A few weeks before he leaves office, US President Joe Biden has initiated large-scale pardons for convicted criminals.

The White House announced that Biden had reduced the sentences of almost 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others - more than ever before in a single day.

The approximately 1,500 offenders are people who have been serving their sentences in house arrest since the coronavirus pandemic and have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.

The 39 pardon cases were convictions for non-violent offenses. No names were given.

A US president has the power to shorten the sentences of offenders convicted under federal law, or to pardon convicts entirely - even after serving a sentence.

The latter involves, for example, lifting possible restrictions or sanctions that apply to former offenders and publicly rehabilitating their reputation.

Pardons at the end of a term of office are quite common

Biden has already issued several pardons and sentence reductions during his time in office. It is quite common for a president to make use of this power, especially before leaving office.

Biden announced that he would examine further applications for clemency in the coming weeks. On January 20, the Democrat will leave office and hand over to the Republican Donald Trump.

Biden caused a particular stir when he pardoned his son Hunter at the beginning of December, contrary to previous statements.

The 54-year-old son of the president had pleaded guilty in a second trial for various tax offenses following a conviction for violating gun laws.

His father saved him from a prison sentence - and from potential prosecution for other charges - by granting him a very far-reaching pardon.