John,

The power of the presidential pardon is profound. It can restore lives, repair broken families, and begin to heal the racial injustices embedded in our justice system. Yet, its potential remains largely untapped.

President Biden recently exercised this pardon power for his son, Hunter underscoring a greater opportunity: to extend clemency to thousands of individuals whose lives have been derailed by an unjust justice system.

These are people, predominantly from marginalized communities, who face the scars of prosecution, mandatory minimums, and a war on drugs rooted in racial prejudice.

The urgency is clear: While Biden could use clemency to address systemic inequities, Donald Trump has signaled his intention to wield pardons as political rewards, potentially extending clemency to the January 6 insurrectionists. This highlights exactly why Biden must use clemency as a force for justice, not privilege.

Tell President Biden to step up and use his pardon power to right these wrongs.

Expanding clemency for those unfairly punished by outdated and racially biased laws would be a historic step forward. Imagine a nation where families separated by years of incarceration are reunited, where racial disparities in the justice system begin to close, and where we make a collective commitment to rehabilitation over retribution.

As the leader of the free world, President Biden has the chance to set a precedent that justice doesn’t only belong to the powerful, it belongs to all of us.

Clemency can rebuild trust between communities and the government, demonstrating that our system is capable of compassion and fairness. Biden’s legacy on this issue can be one of justice restored and hope renewed.

But change doesn’t happen without action. Now is the time to demand that President Biden make clemency a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to equity and justice.

Let’s keep working to ensure the pardon power is wielded for justice and progress, not favoritism or fear.

- DFA AF Team