Martina Navratilova applauds Joe Biden's gesture towards imprisoned indigenous activist Leonard Peltier before surrendering presidency to Donald Trump

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova expressed her appreciation for outgoing President Joe Biden's significant act of compassion in the last minutes of his presidency. Navratilova lauded Biden's decision to grant clemency to long-imprisoned Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier.

Leonard Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), has been a central figure in one of the most controversial legal battles in U.S. history. Convicted in 1977 for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents, Jack Coler, and Ronald Williams, during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Peltier has spent nearly five decades in prison.

His conviction has been widely criticized, with allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, falsified evidence, and witness intimidation casting doubt on the fairness of his trial.

At 80 years old and in declining health, Peltier's release is seen by many as a long-overdue act of justice. Supporters, including human rights organizations and public figures, have tirelessly advocated for his release, highlighting the numerous irregularities in his case.

Reacting to the news on December 12, 2025, Navratilova posted a series of clapping hands emojis on X (formerly Twitter), signaling her approval and joy at the announcement.

"👏👏👏."

As Peltier prepares to transition to home confinement by February 18, 2025, his supporters and family are making arrangements for his return. While this commutation does not absolve him of his convictions, it allows him to spend his remaining years outside of prison, surrounded by his loved ones.

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Martina Navratilova responds to Joe Biden’s historic clemency for 1,500 individuals

Martina Navratilova during the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards press conference (Image source: Getty)

Martina Navratilova expressed her astonishment at an extraordinary act of clemency by former U.S. President Joe Biden.

Last month, Biden pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others, marking the largest single-day clemency effort in U.S. history according to The White House.

"As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses," Biden said (via Associated Press).

The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion shared her reaction to the historic decision on X (formerly Twitter) on December 12, 2024.

"Wow!" Navratilova wrote.

The initiative focused on those in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce prison overcrowding. It followed Biden’s earlier pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, over firearm and tax-related charges.