In a troubling development, former President Joe Biden has set an alarming record by granting 8,064 pardons, far surpassing any of his predecessors.
While some may argue that this exercise of presidential power is a sign of generosity, the sheer volume of pardons raises serious concerns about accountability, fairness, and potential political motivations.
Biden’s pardoning spree has sparked widespread criticism, especially after he granted clemency to several family members, including his son Hunter Biden, who had been charged with federal gun offences related to an incident in 2018.
The timing of these pardons—just hours before leaving office—has led many to question whether these actions were more about political convenience than a genuine desire for justice.
By pardoning his family in such a fashion, Biden risks creating an image of a presidency willing to absolve wrongdoings when it serves personal or political interests.
Biden’s 8,064 pardons place him at the top of the list, far surpassing previous presidents. Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, granted 3,796 pardons during his 12 years in office.
Andrew Johnson issued 7,654 clemencies, which places him among the highest in presidential history.
Barack Obama, with his two terms, granted 1,927 pardons, a number that, while high, still pales in comparison to Biden’s record. In fact, Obama’s record stands as the highest number of clemencies for any two-term president since Roosevelt.
Other presidents have shown similar restraint when it comes to issuing pardons. For instance, Lyndon B. Johnson granted 1,187 pardons, Dwight D. Eisenhower issued 1,157, and Herbert Hoover gave 1,198.
Even more conservative figures like George H.W. Bush, who issued only 77 pardons, and his son George W. Bush, with 200 pardons, contrast sharply with Biden’s expansive use of this power.
Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter, all of whom served two terms, issued 459, 406, and 566 pardons respectively, far fewer than Biden.
In contrast, presidents like James Garfield and William Harrison issued no pardons during their brief tenures, and their approach to clemency is often regarded as prudent and cautious, as opposed to the politically motivated actions that have tainted Biden’s clemency record.
Even Richard Nixon, whose presidency was marked by scandal, issued 926 pardons before his resignation, a number that still pales next to Biden’s total.
Biden’s large number of pardons cannot be justified by any standard of fairness or justice. While clemency is a tool meant for second chances, it should not be used recklessly or to further political agendas.
The mass pardoning of 6,500 individuals convicted of marijuana possession under Biden's administration is indicative of an overreach that dilutes the meaning of clemency.
Such widespread pardoning undermines the public's confidence in the justice system, turning it into a political tool rather than a genuine means of reform.
Follow us
