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Joe Biden gives his last favor to drug trafficking before leaving the White House

Biden announced this Friday that he'll comspeechless the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses.

President Joe Biden, who's about to leave the White House next week, has made a controversial decision. He announced this Friday that he'll comspeechless the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug-related offenses.

This act comes just days before the end of his term, which has sparked intense reactions in the United States.

The Democratic president, who will leave his post on January 20, has stated that with this measure, he grants more pardons. In addition to individual commutations than any other president in recent history. He assured that clemency is granted to those convicted of drug offenses who, according to him, are serving excessive sentences.

The president indicated that these inmates, mostly,  were sentenced under outdated policies. With discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine.

Biden's decision comes at a key moment in his administration. His legacy was expected to include a focus on criminal justice reform, and this measure is a step in that direction.

Senior man speaking at a podium with a microphone, with an American flag in the background.
President Joe Biden, who's about to leave the White House next week | Europa Press

However, it hasn't been without controversy. The White House justified that these prisoners' sentences were disproportionate compared to current convictions. That their release would help correct historical inequalities in the U.S. judicial system.

Biden, who had previously granted a series of pardons and commutations, has increased his focus on criminal reform. Throughout his term, he's comspeechlessd the sentences of more than 3,500 people, a record for a U.S. president.

According to his administration, the measure seeks to address sentencing disparities resulting from previous laws. Like the distinction between crack and powder cocaine, which treated the former much more severely.

Last December, Biden also comspeechlessd the sentences of 37 of the 40 federal inmates sentenced to death, converting them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

This action, taken as a sign of his clemency policy. Was considered by some as a final act of his term before the arrival of Donald Trump. Who will take office again as president in January.

However, Biden's policy regarding pardons hasn't been without controversy. In particular, the decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden. Who had pleaded guilty to tax offenses and firearm-related charges, has sparked debate in the country.

A man in a dark suit and light blue tie speaking into two microphones with an American flag and shelves of books in the background.
Biden, who had already granted a series of pardons and commutations | Europa Press

Opponents of the Biden administration argue that this act shows a double standard, by pardoning a family member while granting benefits to thousands of inmates.

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