Leonard Peltier pictured at Leavenworth federal prison in Kansas, 1992. The Guardian
President Joe Biden's decision to commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a man convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975, has sparked outrage across the nation. This move, made in the final moments of Biden's presidency, is controversial, with strong reactions from both law enforcement and those who oppose Peltier's continued incarceration.
Peltier, now 80, has spent nearly five decades in prison after being convicted for the murders of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation. In 1979, while serving his sentence, Peltier escaped from federal prison, resulting in an additional five years being added to his time behind bars.
Despite his conviction, Peltier has always maintained his innocence, claiming that he was unjustly tried. His case has been a cause célèbre for many Native American rights activists, who argue that his trial was tainted by mishandling of evidence and racial prejudice.
On his last day in office, Biden issued a statement announcing that Peltier's sentence would be commuted, allowing him to spend the remaining days of his life in home confinement. However, Biden made it clear that this move was not a pardon, and Peltier would not be forgiven for his crimes. Biden’s statement said, "This commutation will enable Mr. Peltier to spend his remaining days in home confinement but will not pardon him for his underlying crimes."
Joe Biden arrives at Joint Base Andrews after the inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025. Getty Images
The decision to commute Peltier’s sentence was made public during the inauguration of former President Donald Trump. Alongside Peltier’s commutation, Biden also granted pardons to several members of his own family, including his brother James Biden, who has been the subject of investigations by congressional Republicans.
Peltier’s health was a key factor in Biden's decision. The release notes that Peltier is suffering from severe health issues, though it does not specify the exact nature of these problems.
Despite the commutation, former FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed strong opposition to Biden’s decision. In a letter to the president dated January 10, Wray warned Biden against granting clemency to Peltier, stating that it would cause immense pain to the victims’ families and undermine justice. Wray described Peltier as a "remorseless killer" and emphasized that the crime was particularly brutal, with Peltier executing the agents at close range during a shootout on the reservation.
Marchers display painting of Leonard Peltier during Plymouth march. AP Photo
Wray also detailed Peltier's violent flight from justice following the murders, including firing on law enforcement and burglarizing a home. After his capture in Canada, Peltier was convicted of the FBI agents' murders and sentenced to life in prison.
The FBI Agents Association, led by President Natalie Bara, condemned the commutation, calling it a "disgraceful act" that betrayed the families and colleagues of the fallen agents. "This last-second, disgraceful act by then-President Biden... is a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen Agents," Bara stated. "It is a slap in the face of law enforcement."
Peltier's case remains one of the most divisive issues in the history of Native American activism. While some view him as a political prisoner, many others, including law enforcement, see him as a convicted murderer who should serve his sentence in full.
