Confusion Surrounds Biden’s Last-Minute Pardons for Convicted Offenders
WASHINGTON – Officials within the Justice Department expressed surprise over the extensive pardons that then-President Biden enacted for thousands of convicts shortly before leaving office earlier this year. They criticized the administration for inaccurately categorizing the recipients as “nonviolent” offenders, as detailed in emails examined by this outlet.
Associate Deputy Attorney General Brad Weinsheimer faced challenges in deciphering the nearly 2,500 federal commutations granted on January 17. He sought a detailed list identifying the offenses pertinent to each inmate included in the clemency order.
“I’m concerned that the language ‘offenses described to the Department of Justice’ in the warrant is problematic. To appropriately interpret this, aligned with the President’s intent, we need clarification from the President,” Weinsheimer conveyed in a January 18 email to officials within the White House Counsel’s Office and the DOJ Pardon Attorney’s Office. He emphasized that direct guidance from Biden would facilitate a clearer understanding of the terms used in the warrant.
“Additionally,” the DOJ official noted, “the White House has referred to those who were granted clemency as individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. I recommend ceasing this characterization, as it is either inaccurate or misleading.”
Weinsheimer highlighted that his office had already pinpointed 19 problematic commutations, with 16 individuals receiving clemency from the President.
“This group includes violent offenders, some of whom engaged in violent acts linked to their convictions or have histories of violence, making the claim of them being nonviolent drug offenders misleading,” he stated.
“There are likely additional troubling cases among those we haven’t yet reviewed. Regrettably, despite multiple requests for input, we were not given sufficient opportunity to vet the candidates considered for clemency,” Weinsheimer added.
“As you’re aware, we received the actual warrants and pertinent details regarding the individuals granted clemency only moments before the list was made public.”
The Oversight Project exclusively obtained the emails, which were provided to further investigate potential overreach concerning the presidential auto-pen used by Biden’s administration.
A representative for President Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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