FACTBOX: Biden leads US presidents with 8,064 pardons as more than 45,000 have been issued since 1775
Joe Biden, Andrew Johnson, Franklin D. Roosevelt stand out as James Garfield, William Harrison granted no clemencies

ISTANBUL
Former President Joe Biden has set a record for presidential pardons with 8,064 clemency actions as US leaders have granted clemency more than 45,000 times.
Hours before leaving office, Biden granted pardons to several family members, including James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens and Francis W. Biden, citing "politically motivated attacks." That followed his December pardon of his son, Hunter, for federal gun charges related to a firearm possession while under drug addiction in 2018.
Although Biden's been criticized for the move, it is not the first nor the last in US history.
Donald Trump marked his first day back in office Monday by pardoning approximately 1,500 individuals connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. In comparison, Trump's action brings his total pardons to 1,737, including 237 from his previous term.
The pardon power of the president stems from the US Constitution, which grants authority for "reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States," except in impeachment cases.
The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the broad authority since an 1886 case, Ex parte Garland, recognizing the president's unlimited power to forgive convicted persons entirely or partially, reduce penalties or alter conditions.
Historical context
US Justice Department statistics show more than 45,000 executive clemency actions since the early 20th century, including pardons, commutations and other types of clemencies, reflecting the extensive use of the presidential power.
The tradition began with George Washington in 1795, when he pardoned participants in Pennsylvania's Whiskey Rebellion.
Biden, leading the list, has granted more than 8,000 clemencies during his four-year term. The record-setting number includes a collective act covering 6,500 individuals for marijuana possession convictions.
Franklin D. Roosevelt also stands out as one of the most prolific users of clemency powers, granting 3,796 pardons during his 12-year presidency. Woodrow Wilson follows with 2,827 during his 1913 - 1921 tenure. Harry Truman granted 2,044 pardons and Calvin Coolidge issued 1,691.
Among the presidents before 1900, Andrew Johnson granted 7,654 clemencies, placing him among the highest in presidential history.
Barack Obama's 1,927 clemencies represent the highest number for any two-term president since Roosevelt.
Other significant figures include Lyndon B. Johnson with 1,187 pardons, Dwight D. Eisenhower had 1,157, Herbert Hoover issued 1,198 and Theodore Roosevelt granted 1,099.
Conservative approaches
Several presidents have shown remarkable restraint in exercising pardon powers.
James Garfield and William Harrison stand out for granting no pardons, though Harrison's brief one-month tenure explains his absence of clemency actions.
George H.W. Bush granted just 77 clemencies during his four-year term. His son, George W. Bush, issued 200 pardons, marking the lowest of any multi-term president.
Bill Clinton granted 459 clemencies, Ronald Reagan's presidency saw 406 pardons, Jimmy Carter issued 566 and Gerald Ford granted 409.
Richard Nixon provided 926 pardons before his resignation, John F. Kennedy issued 575, Warren G. Harding granted 773, William H. Taft gave 831 and William McKinley issued 446.