U.S. News
Biden Commutes Life Sentence, Leading to Leonard Peltier’s Release
Clear Facts
- Leonard Peltier, convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975, was released from prison after President Joe Biden commuted his sentence.
- The FBI Agents Association condemned the commutation, calling it “disgraceful” and a betrayal to the agents’ families.
- Peltier, now 80 and in poor health, will serve his remaining time under house arrest.
In a controversial move, President Joe Biden has commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, a far-left activist convicted of the execution-style killings of two FBI agents in 1975. Peltier, who has long been a divisive figure, was released from a Florida prison on Tuesday and will now serve his sentence under house arrest.
The FBI Agents Association did not mince words in their response to this decision.
“This last-second, disgraceful act by then-President Biden, which does not change Peltier’s guilt but does release him from prison, is cowardly and lacks accountability,” the association stated.
They further expressed their dismay, describing the commutation as “a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen Agents and is a slap in the face of law enforcement.”
The background of this case is as contentious as it is tragic. In June 1975, FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were killed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota while attempting to execute an arrest warrant. Witnesses have claimed that one of the agents pleaded for his life before being executed.
Peltier, who was a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), has consistently denied being the executioner, instead attributing the act to a mysterious “Mr. X.” Despite these claims, his involvement in the shootout has been a point of contention for decades.
Adding to the controversy, Peltier was implicated in the murder of fellow activist Anna Mae Aquash. Reports suggest that Aquash was killed by Peltier’s associates after they suspected her of being an FBI informant, having overheard Peltier confess to the agents’ killings.
The commutation has sparked outrage among law enforcement and the families of the fallen agents.
“Agents Coler and Williams gave their lives in service to this nation, and their families continue to bear the heavy burden of that sacrifice,” the FBI Agents Association emphasized.
They noted that the loss of these agents is still deeply felt within the FBI community.
Peltier’s release has reignited debates over justice and political favoritism. Critics argue that while some decried previous presidential pardons, they have either supported or remained silent on Peltier’s release, despite the gravity of his crimes.
As this chapter closes for Peltier, now 80 and reportedly suffering from diabetes, the repercussions of his actions continue to resonate, leaving many to question the motivations behind his release.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Joe Black, Sr.
February 18, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Maybe the FBI should care more about who they commit Lawfare with. Trump wouldn’t release a cop killer! But, the FBI spent a lot of time harassing and investigating the very people that actually like them. What goes around comes around, but it’s still sad for the families of the slain agents.
Jan Fuller
February 18, 2025 at 6:26 pm
I think this is reprehensible. I feel for these men’s families. This is so unjust and cruel.
Robert Smashey
February 18, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Absolutely abhorrent on Joe Biden or those in his administration responsible for Peltier’s pardon regardless of his supposed health conditions and age. Responsible for two cold blooded murders via an ambush he should have originally been given the death sentence from my standpoint. Ron Williams & Jack Coler were two elite young agents whose lives were ended way to early!
Lynn Simmons
February 18, 2025 at 6:53 pm
When did this happen…today?
Mark Steckloff
February 19, 2025 at 11:00 am
A month ago I know, pretty strange to be reporting on it today.
Somehow, this biased story never mentions that:
1. Pelletier’s conviction was itself extremely controversial, replete with prosecutorial and FBI misconduct, recanted testimony and evidence exonerating Leonard Pelletier.
2. Pelletier, after serving nearly 50 years of this dubious conviction, is dying. The commutation was simply so he can die at home.
Ron
February 19, 2025 at 8:41 pm
The connection with yesterday (2/18) was that Peltier was formally released from federal prison in Florida.
Ron
February 18, 2025 at 7:34 pm
“Clear Facts” is absolutely wrong. Peltier was not convicted of killing two FBI agents (shame on you for spreading a falsehood)! Further, there was no evidence that Peltier committed the crime. Federal law enforcement admitted they never did figure out who killed the two agents (a Native American was killed in the same shootout, but there was no investigation at all). The trial was full of egregious misconduct – witnesses were coerced, fed prosecutors withheld evidence that would have cleared Peltier, the jury was tainted. The prosecutor, himself, later spoke on behalf of Peltier as did most of the international community. The feds were desperate to blame someone. They blamed Peltier.
Thank you President Biden. A full pardon would have been just; commutation is fair.
Ross
February 19, 2025 at 8:52 am
Biden has been gone a month now. Why is this news?
Mark Steckloff
February 19, 2025 at 11:05 am
This story is extremely biased. Somehow, it never mentions that:
1. Pelletier’s investigation, trial snd conviction were themselves extremely controversial, replete with prosecutorial and FBI misconduct, recanted testimony and evidence exonerating Leonard Pelletier.
2. Pelletier, after serving nearly 50 years of this dubious conviction, is dying. The commutation was simply so that he can die at home.