Martina Navratilova drops 1-word reaction as President Joe Biden makes history with clemency for 1,500 people

Modified Dec 13, 2024 02:06 GMT

Martina Navratilova (L) and Joe Biden (R) [Image source: Getty]

Martina Navratilova expressed her amazement upon learning of an unprecedented act of clemency by outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden. In what is being called the single largest act of compassion in modern history, Biden pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others serving lengthy prison terms.

President Biden’s decision arrived just weeks before his tenure ends. With only 40 days remaining until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, Biden has used his remaining time to address longstanding inequities in the U.S. justice system.

The clemencies primarily focused on individuals who had been in home confinement for at least a year during the COVID-19 pandemic, a measure initially implemented to reduce overcrowding in prisons and curb the spread of the virus. According to the White House, this act marks the most clemency granted in a single day in U.S. history.

"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).

Navratilova, an outspoken advocate for social justice and equality, took to X (formerly Twitter) on December 12, 2024, to share her reaction to the historic announcement.

"Wow!" Navratilova wrote.

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This latest clemency move follows a previous decision to grant an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced charges related to gun possession and tax offenses.

Martina Navratilova holds US President-elect Donald Trump responsible for Joe Biden’s reversal on Hunter Biden's pardon

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

Martina Navratilova suggested that Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency influenced Joe Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden.

Hunter faced charges of lying about drug use when purchasing a gun and tax evasion from 2016 to 2019, with both cases carrying significant prison time. Biden initially vowed not to pardon Hunter but reversed his stance after Trump’s 2024 election win, a move later confirmed by the White House.

Senator Chris Coons stated that Trump’s appointees signaled plans to target Hunter, prompting Biden’s shift. Navratilova, a vocal Trump critic, shared CNN reporter Manu Raju’s post on X, agreeing with Coons’ assessment.