US President Joe Biden has issued presidential pardons for 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes and reduced the sentences of nearly 1,500 other people.
According to foreign media, the White House described them as several acts of presidential courtesy issued in a single day, while the names of the persons involved in this amnesty were not given.
The US Constitution states that a president has "broad power to grant reprieve and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in special cases."
Earlier this month, Biden issued a controversial pardon for his son Hunter, a decision that continued a recent trend of presidents pardoning people close to them, A2 CNN writes.
Announcing the move, Biden said those pardoned "have demonstrated successful rehabilitation and demonstrated commitment to making their communities stronger and safer." Their convictions included drug offenses, ie for non-violent acts.
The commuted sentences were for hundreds of people who were placed under house arrest during the Covid-19 pandemic and who were facing sentences that Biden considered too long.
They "have shown that they deserve a second chance," Biden said, A2 CNN writes. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
