Biden clemency blitz left DOJ scrambling as many commutations bypassed normal vetting, emails show

DOJ officials reported scrambling after Joe Biden’s end-of-term clemency grants were announced, as records showed that many commutations bypassed normal vetting and review. The process led to criticism regarding procedural gaps, including questions about separate sentences for a career offender and the handling of Hunter Biden's pardon. Furthermore, U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland questioned multiple North Dakota commutations because neither sentencing judges nor victims had been consulted.