how many pardons did joe biden give
Joe Biden granted 80 presidential pardons during his four years in office, alongside 4,165 commutations, for a total of 4,245 acts of clemency.
Quick Scoop: How Many Pardons Did Joe Biden Give?
If youâre focusing strictly on pardons (not commutations or other clemency):
- Joe Biden issued 80 pardons as president.
- He also issued 4,165 commutations , overwhelmingly driving up his total clemency count.
- Altogether, thatâs 4,245 acts of clemency , the highest total on record for any U.S. president, but with relatively few being formal pardons.
A useful way to picture it: Biden used his clemency power on a large scale, but mainly to shorten or lift sentences (commutations) rather than to issue traditional pardons.
Mini Breakdown: Pardon vs. Clemency
- Pardon : Forgives the offense and typically restores civil rights like voting or owning a firearm (though some consequences can still linger under state law).
- Commutation : Shortens or ends a sentence but does not erase the conviction itself.
- Acts of clemency : A catchâall term that includes both pardons and commutations, counted per person affected.
In public debates and forum discussions, people often ask âhow many pardons did Joe Biden giveâ when they really mean âhow often did he use clemency overall,â which is why youâll see that larger 4,245 number show up in political talk and news explainers.
Snapshot Table: Bidenâs Clemency Numbers
| Measure | Number | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential pardons | 80 | [7]Formal forgiveness and rights restoration. |
| Commutations | 4,165 | [7]Sentences reduced or ended, convictions remain. |
| Total acts of clemency | 4,245 | [7]All pardons + commutations during Bidenâs term. |
Trending & Forum Angle (2025â2026 Context)
- Commentators highlight how Bidenâs pardon count is low , but his total clemency use is historically high , thanks to mass commutations, including large batches for nonviolent drug and COVIDâera cases.
- Some posts frame this as Biden being âsoft on crime,â while others argue he corrected overly harsh sentences and the legacy of the war on drugs.
- Discussion also compares him to past presidents: he issued more acts of clemency overall than any prior president, but fewer pardons than most , which becomes a talking point in election and justiceâreform debates.
TL;DR
- Direct answer: Joe Biden gave 80 pardons as president.
- Context: Those were part of 4,245 total clemency actions , mostly commutations, making his overall clemency use historically high.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
