A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced H.R. 10248, the Weldon Angelos Presidential Pardon Expungements Act.
Filed recently by Congressmember Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), the bill has garnered support from Republican cosponsors Laurel Lee (FL), Barry Moore (AL), Don Bacon (NE), and Jeff Duncan (SC), as well as Democrat David Trone (MD).
The legislation is named after Weldon Angelos, who was sentenced to 55 years in federal prison at the age of 24 for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses. His mandatory sentence, which included firearms charges, has drawn widespread criticism as excessive, especially given his lack of prior criminal history. Angelos was granted clemency by President Barack Obama after serving 13 years and later received a full pardon from President Donald Trump. Despite these measures, his criminal record continues to create significant barriers to employment and reintegration.
“Many individuals who have been fully pardoned face similar barriers to reentry into society, hindering their ability to fully participate in their communities and lead productive lives”, notes H.R. 10248.
The proposed act seeks to allow individuals who have received full presidential pardons for certain federal offenses, including marijuana-related charges, to petition for the expungement of their criminal records. Supporters of the bill argue that such measures are essential for ensuring pardoned individuals can rebuild their lives without the stigma of a federal record.
“No later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts or their designee(s) (hereby referred to as Director) shall promulgate procedures or practices for the review, expungement, sealing, sequester, and redaction of official records pursuant to and consistent with the provisions of this Act, and to facilitate the study of such records pursuant to section 7 of this Act”, states the bill. “In determining such procedures or practices, the Director may consult with relevant entities, including the Attorney General of the United States and any agency within the United States Department of Justice (including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Office of the Pardon Attorney), representatives of the United States Sentencing Commission, representatives of the Federal Defenders Organizations, scholars and subject-matter experts, and the Comptroller General of the United States.”
If enacted, the bill would establish a process for courts to expunge qualifying records, including sealing and redacting related documentation. It also outlines procedures for notifying affected agencies and individuals while safeguarding the confidentiality of the expunged records.
The full text of the proposal can be found by clicking here.
