Obama/Biden Administration Didn't Grant 18,000 Acts of Clemency
The Claim
18,000 people were granted clemency during the Obama/Biden administration.
News posted on
Emerging story
During an October 5, 2020 town hall with NBC’s Lester Holt, U.S. Presidential nominee Joe Biden said that “18,000 people got clemency” during the Obama/Biden administration.
Users on social media immediately began discussing the claim. Some defended the idea behind Biden’s statement, while many were quick to point out his numbers were incorrect.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that the 18,000 figure is false. During his term, President Barack Obama issued 1,927 acts of clemency.
President Donald Trump has taken 38 acts of clemency throughout his presidency.
Many news outlets immediately reported on the gaffe, with several saying that the Obama/Biden administration denied around 18,000 acts of clemency.
The Biden campaign said that it was a verbal slip-up and that Biden meant to say 1,800, not 18,000.
