Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA)

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.

Justice Department officials scrambled after former President Joe Biden's clemency grants were announced, as internal emails showed that many commutations bypassed the agency’s normal vetting procedures. The process faced criticism regarding a lack of proper review and consultation with sentencing judges, prosecutors, or victims in several instances. Officials also had to work through errors concerning Hunter Biden’s pardon details.