A letter signed by 34 Democratic lawmakers urges President Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist imprisoned for nearly 50 years. The letter highlights Peltier’s declining health and the flawed nature of his trial, citing coerced witnesses and suppressed evidence. Lawmakers emphasize this action aligns with the administration’s commitment to addressing past injustices against Native Americans. Recent presidential actions granting clemency and pardons fuel optimism for Peltier’s release.
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President Biden issued a historic act of clemency, commuting the sentences of approximately 1,500 individuals previously on home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pardoning 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes. This represents the largest single-day use of clemency in modern presidential history, exceeding even President Obama’s previous record. The commutations focused on those who had completed at least a year of home confinement, reflecting efforts to mitigate COVID-19 spread in prisons. Further clemency actions are expected before Biden leaves office.
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President Biden granted clemency to nearly 1,800 individuals, representing the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. This included approximately 1,500 commutations for those who completed home confinement sentences initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic and 39 pardons for nonviolent offenses. The actions followed a pardon for Biden’s son, Hunter, and are expected to be followed by further clemency grants before the end of his term. These actions reflect Biden’s stated commitment to providing second chances and addressing sentencing disparities.
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John Q. Hosedrinker