On January 19th, 2025, President Biden pardoned five people during his last full day in office. The pardon power of the president is found in Article II, Section II, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, which states “The President… Shall have power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States except in Cases of Impeachment.” In a statement, President Biden said “America is a country built on the promise of second chances.” The five people pardoned were Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, Darryl Chambers, Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir, Don Leonard Scott Jr., and Kemba Smith Praida.
“Today, I am exercising my clemency power to pardon 5 individuals and commute the sentences of 2 individuals who have demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation, and redemption. These clemency recipients have each made significant contributions to improving their communities” Biden said. Marcus Garvey was the only person given the pardon after he died. Garvey was arrested for mail fraud in connection with the Black Star Line. The Black Star Line was a shipping company created by Garvey in 1919 with the intention to improve the lives of Black people around the world by giving them economic power and treat them as equal. Garvey served 2 years of a 5 year sentence in Atlanta, GA, his sentence was cut short by President Calvin Coolridge and Garvey was deported back to Jamaica.
President Biden reduced the sentences of two other individuals and their prison time will end on February 18th, 2025. The first person is Robin Peoples who was originally sentenced to 111 years for crimes he committed in the late 1990s. The second person is Michelle West who was sentenced to life in prison for crimes that were committed in the 1980s and 1990s. Weeks leading up to his final days in office Biden announced thousands of clemency actions for mostly non violent offenders. He reduced sentences for many death row inmates, taking them from death row to life in prison. Biden also granted a full pardon for his son Hunter Biden in December 2024.
Don Leonard Scott Jr., the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. Scott is a veteran who was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to a drug conspiracy case during his time in law school. In a statement, Scott said “Today, I am deeply humbled to share that I have received a Presidential Pardon from President Joe Biden for a mistake I made in 1994, one that changed the course of my life and taught me the true power of redemption.” Gun violence prevention advocate, immigrant rights advocate, and a non violent drug offender.
Today, January 20th, 2025 is President Biden’s last day in office.
