Biden commutes 2,500 drug offenders ahead of retirement...the most ever

U.S. President Joe Biden commuted about 2,500 drug offenders three days before he left office.

According to the Associated Press and other foreign media, President Biden announced on the 17th local time that he would reduce 2,500 simple drug offenders who did not commit violent crimes.

It is the largest single-day exercise of pardons by U.S. presidents, and President Biden has become the U.S. president who pardoned and commuted the most people.

"This is an important step forward that will correct past wrongs and give qualified people a chance to return to society before it's too late," Mr. Biden said in a statement.

President Biden announced 2,500 commutations, indicating he could also exercise additional amnesty rights for the rest of his term.

Some predict that the government could exercise comprehensive pardons against government officials who could be targets for retaliation from next President-elect Donald Trump.

Earlier on Dec. 1, President Biden came under heavy criticism for reversing his previous promise and pardoning his son Hunter, who was convicted of possessing a firearm and tax evasion.