Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker announced Thursday a "first day" pledge to offer sweeping clemency to Americans still serving time in federal prisons for nonviolent drug-related offenses. Under his Restoring Justice Initiative, more than 17,000 current inmates might qualify for early release if a presidential advisory board determined they met required criteria. It would represent the most dramatic use of presidential clemency powers in the modern era.
The primary focus would be on inmates sentenced for nonviolent marijuana-related crimes, those serving disparately harsh sentences under War on Drugs-premised mandatory minimum sentences, such as those imposed to punish crack cocaine possession more stiffly than powdered cocaine, and those who would have received reduced sentences if provisions of the new Trump-signed First Step Act were applied retroactively. It would also give "special presumption for release" to inmates 50 years old or older. Because clemency powers are explicitly granted to the presidency, the plan requires no congressional action.
Booker has emphasized criminal justice reform repeatedly during his Senate tenure and campaign for the presidency. His announcement follows a similar proposal introduced in April by fellow presidential contender Sen. Amy Klobuchar.