After Hunter's case, Biden faces pressure to fix unfair prison sentences
After pardoning his son Hunter this week White House gets requests to help others unfairly sentenced. Civil-rights groups point to non-violent offenders and racial bias in justice system
After President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden earlier this week many civil-rights advocates want similar help for others. The White House says its discussing pardons for non-violent cases and unfair sentences (especially those affected by racial bias in courts)
A senior White House aide confirmed that many pardons are coming-up for people who got long sentences for non-violent crimes. This follows Bidenʼs earlier moves: last year he cleared thousands of federal marijuana charges; and in summer-24 he started pardoning LGBTQ veterans convicted before military changed its rules
Thereʼs going to be more to speak to in the upcoming weeks
Hakeem Jeffries‚ top House Democrat‚ wants pardons for working-class people. Civil-rights groups point to cases like Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson — two men got life sentences despite a jury not finding them guilty of murder: they were sentenced based on a late-90s court rule that lets judges use unproven charges
- Black Americans get longer sentences than white people for same crimes
- Many face excessive terms for non-violent cases
- Civil rights groups work with lawmakers to find worthy cases
Some republicans dont like the idea. Jon Fleischman‚ GOP consultant says: “There shouldnt be a Roman emperor who goes thumbs up thumbs down.“ But Ayanna Pressley and other democrats want quick action — not waiting till jan-25 when Biden leaves office
