Former President Joe Biden, in his final minutes as president, commuted the sentence of an indigenous activist who killed two FBI agents, according to the White House.
Biden on Monday commuted the life sentence of 80-year-old Leonard Peltier, while also granting a preemptive pardon to his family.
“This commutation of sentence will allow Mr. Peltier to spend the remainder of his days in confinement at home, but will not pardon the underlying crime,” the White House said in a statement. announcednoted that Pelletier “suffers from severe health problems and has spent most of his life (almost half a century) in prison.” (Related: Biden pardons five family members of President Trump just before being sworn in)
“Mr. Pelletier is a Native American activist currently serving a life sentence for murdering two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and escaping from a federal prison. Tribal Nation, nobel peace Award winners, former law enforcement officials (including the former U.S. attorney who prosecuted and appealed Mr. Pelletier), dozens of lawmakers, and human rights groups called for a pardon for Mr. Peltier, citing his advanced age and illness. I strongly support giving. , his close ties to and leadership within the Native American community, and the significant amount of time he has already spent in prison,” the White House said in a statement.
There are no words for the resignation of Leonard Pelletier. His release from prison represents a measure of justice that has eluded many Native Americans for decades. We are grateful that Leonard will be able to go home to his family. I commend President Biden on this…
— Deb Haaland (@DebHaalandNM) January 20, 2025
Biden on Monday also pardoned his brothers and other family members involved in his son Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings. On Friday, Biden commuted the sentences of 2,500 people, including cop killers and other dangerous criminals.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or our partnership, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
