Biden’s Commutations Hurt Crime Victims

Danielle Sassoon, interim U.S. attorney for New York, has this op-ed in the WSJ with the above title. The subhead is “Despite his claims, the former president ordered many violent offenders released.”

One senseless decision involved Raheem Davis, who was convicted in my district of narcotics trafficking in 2006, and also separately convicted for his role in a 2005 drug robbery where he opened fire, murdered one person, and permanently crippled another. While awaiting trial in the robbery case, Davis assaulted a corrections officer by repeatedly stabbing him in the head and neck with a shank. In imposing a lengthy sentence meant to incapacitate Davis, the judge described Davis as “out of control” and “violent” and warned that if “he’s out on the street, it is only a matter of time until more people die at his hands.” Davis will now be out of prison this year, rather than in 2043.

Regrettably, the former President is not alone in his misuse of the pardon power. As noted in this podcast, the current President’s sweeping clemency for the January 6 defendants — including those who assaulted police officers — has drawn widespread criticism. Even President Trump’s nominee for FBI Director disagreed with it during his confirmation hearing.