‘I am beyond words’: Deb Haaland welcomes clemency for Leonard Peltier

A display reading “Free Leonard Peltier” is seen at the White House on September 12, 2023. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

The following is the text of a January 20, 2025, statement from Deb Haaland, former Secretary of the Interior and a former member of U.S. Congress from New Mexico, about the grant of executive clemency for Leonard Peltier.

I am beyond words about the commutation of Leonard Peltier. His release from prison signifies a measure of justice that has long evaded so many Native Americans for so many decades. I am grateful that Leonard can now go home to his family. I applaud President Biden for this action and understanding what this means to Indian Country.