Biden’s Record-breaking Clemency Move: A Display of Unchecked Power

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, seems to think he is functioning above the law. In the most recent display of his executive overreach, he commuted sentences of nearly 1,500 people who were put under home confinement during the COVID pandemic; additionally, he pardoned 39 people who were found guilty of non-violent crimes. Singling out one individual, a woman from Oklahoma, Biden disproportionately waves his clemency wand. This move, announced on a fine Thursday, apparently breaks some records in what seems to be a contest of unchecked power.

In a statement released by his team, Biden preaches about advancing ‘equal justice under law, promoting public safety, and providing second chances.’ Aristotle once said that ‘Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them.’ If the statement holds true, then what can we say about Biden’s push for clemency for drug offenders like Shannan Rae Faulkner? Faulkner, 56, pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offence, a category that the Biden administration seems to attribute a form of merit.

As per the White House’s elaboration on Faulkner’s life post-sentence, she has pursued higher education and is now aiding female trauma victims and people living with disabilities. Yet, the narrative here seems to be that Faulkner’s subsequent contributions negate her prior missteps. Is that the message we want to impart to our society? When did disrespecting law and order become a path to societal contribution? This raises the question of whether our president is trumpeting the correct message to the nation.

Remember when he pardoned his son, Hunter Biden barely two weeks ago for gun and tax felonies? This move did not escape bipartisan criticism and was backlash galore. Detractors argued that those more deserving of clearance don’t possess the fortunate family connections that the younger Biden seems to benefit from. It’s as though being a Biden held a Get Out of Jail Free card in a game of institutional Monopoly.

President Biden justified his decision to commute the sentences of these 1,499 people that they would have received ‘lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices.’ What is baffling is the audacity to determine who deserves a ‘second chance.’ It is a lofty claim, considering he seems to overlook the fact that a crime was committed, regardless of societal adjustments.

Bizarrely enough, criminal justice groups seem to laud Biden’s latest clemency moves. They are even rallying for President Biden to commute the sentences of everyone on federal death row to life in prison. It’s as if they believe a life of crime is merely a stepping stone to an illustrious career filled with meaningful contributions. Such a thought is a grave threat to societal values and integrity.

It’s not a secret that Biden is an opponent of the federal death penalty, promising during his campaign to put an end to it. He has failed to keep his word on that front, much like his administration has fallen short on numerous other counts. Activists, on the other hand, still hold on to hope, calling for the sitting president to clear the death row. Biden’s inaction speaks louder than his words, repeating a pattern of letdowns that have plagued his entire term.

Donald Trump, during his first term, reinitiated the federal death penalty after 17 years of hiatus, and supervised thirteen executions. This move, steeped in a firm stand against criminal behavior, sharply contrasts with Biden’s stance. If only Biden held criminals to the same standard of accountability, we might see a change in the crime rates wreaking havoc on our cities today.

Amy Fettig, acting co-executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution, echoes these activists’ sentiments, suggesting that President Biden exercises his power to replace all death sentences with life imprisonment. If Biden were to proceed with this, it could symbolize a deviation from our nation’s principles of justice and fairness and a capitulation to a vocal minority’s demands.

If Biden were to clear federal death row as suggested, it would safeguard the criminals from future administrations who might prioritize the sanctity of law and order. This would prevent them from carrying out a justified penalty for grievous crimes committed by these individuals. If Biden does not uphold the nation’s values, who will?

The debate to commute the sentences of individuals on federal death row isn’t solely about the individuals themselves, it is a much larger discussion about who we are as a society. Do we, as a nation, choose to uphold our laws strictly or do we choose to bend them to the whim of changing societal norms? This is a serious consideration that shouldn’t be left to a president pandering to a specific base.

Perhaps it’s time we, as a nation, looked critically at what this all translates into. By expressing clemency to convicts, are we as a nation indirectly encouraging disrespect for our laws and promoting a culture of immunity? Biden’s actions could have long term implications on national harmony, a consequence that outweighs any short-term gains.

The power of clemency vested in our president needs to be wielded with utmost responsibility, a fact Joe Biden seems to have conveniently overlooked. If frivolously exercised, this power risks eroding the foundational elements of our justice system, potentially sparking a downward spiral leading to societal discord.

Such actions by our commander in chief indicate a larger pattern, a pattern that appears to prioritize political gains over our nation’s harmony. By rushing to display his ‘leniency,’ it seems as if our leader is using his position to further his own agenda, rather than prioritizing the security and welfare of those he swore to protect.

In conclusion, the dangers of such hasty acts of clemency shook up the societal fabric. Rather than fostering equity and fairness, Biden’s actions seem to pave the way for selective justice and a flexible set of laws, depending on who you are or who you know. This selective dispensation of justice is a slippery slope, one that holds the potential to undermine the integrity of our legal and societal constructs.