On his final day in office, President Biden pardoned Virginia House Speaker Don Scott — who was convicted of a nonviolent drug offense in 1994 — and posthumously pardoned a black nationalist Marcus Garvey - His conviction for mail fraud in the 1920s inspired civil rights leaders like Malcolm X.

Three other people also received pardons, including advocates for immigrant rights, gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform.

"As president, I have used my clemency powers to fulfill this promise, issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in American history," Biden said in a statement. "These pardon recipients have served for Made a significant contribution to improving their communities.”

Scott, Virginia's first House speaker, served seven years in prison after being convicted on federal drug charges. After being released from prison, Scott became a lawyer, was elected to the Virginia House of Representatives, and in 2024 became the first black speaker of the Virginia House of Representatives.

On Sunday, Scott thanked Biden for the pardon and his "commitment to second chances."

"I will never forget the pain my family felt when I was sentenced, nor will I forget the anguished voice of my mother in the courtroom," Scott said in a statement. "But I will also never forget the story of redemption and restoration. Joy - her tears when I was sworn in as Speaker."

Marcus Garvey was pardoned posthumously after 21 Democratic members of the U.S. Congress signed a letter urging Biden to grant Garvey clemency.

Garvey founded the Black Star Line, the first black-owned shipping and travel company, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

Martin Luther King Jr., who the nation celebrated on Monday, described Garvey as "the first person of color to lead and develop a mass movement in American history."

In addition to Scott and Garvey, Biden also pardoned immigrant rights activist Ravi Raghbir, prison reform activist Kemba Smith Pradia and gun violence prevention advocate Daryl Chan Perth. All were convicted of nonviolent crimes.

Biden also commuted the sentences of Robin Peoples and Michelle West. The two will complete their sentences on February 18, 2025. The pair have been in prison for more than two decades after being sentenced to 111 years in prison for robbing a bank in Indiana. West faces life in prison for his role in the drug conspiracy.

It's unclear whether Biden will preemptively pardon people whom President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to prosecute, including staff members of the House Jan. 6 committee.