Biden Pardons 6 Including Drug Offenders... Politicians and Associates Excluded

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned six individuals with drug-related criminal records on the 30th (local time). Politicians and their associates were not included.

According to the White House, among the six pardoned individuals, five committed minor drug- and alcohol-related offenses and served their sentences before contributing to their communities. Since all six completed their sentences long ago, the pardons effectively erase their criminal records.

[Image source=Reuters News]

These include a 66-year-old man who spent six months in prison at age 22 for assisting in cocaine trafficking and later became a businessman; a 50-year-old man who served one year and nine months for marijuana distribution at age 23 but subsequently served honorably in the Army; and a 77-year-old man who received five months of probation for illegally selling whiskey at age 18 but then volunteered at a church for decades.

Also included was 80-year-old Beverly Ann Even-Tamas, who killed her husband at age 33. She claimed self-defense in court, stating that her husband had abused and threatened her during her pregnancy. The White House explained that this case was a key factor in the court’s recognition of Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS), a form of post-traumatic stress disorder experienced by victims of domestic violence.

A White House official stated, "President Biden believes that America is a country that gives second chances and that providing meaningful opportunities for ex-offenders to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society helps them become productive and law-abiding members of the community." President Biden has exercised his pardon power three times since taking office.

The Washington Post (WP) evaluated that "unlike former President Donald Trump, President Biden pardoned lesser-known ordinary citizens." Former President Trump sparked controversy by pardoning or commuting the sentences of 144 individuals on his last day in office, including his close associate Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, businessman and donor Elliott Broidy, politicians from both parties, and celebrities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.