Politics Can’t Cheapen the Power of the Presidential Pardon
From Trump pardoning January 6 rioters and nominating a pardon czar to Biden’s last-minute pardons of nonviolent offenders and his family, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that clemency remains a vital tool for justice that both parties should support.
Bobby Gonzalez, right, who was formerly incarcerated at Valley State Prison (VSP), embraces current resident Jesus Cecena in the VSP prison yard in Chowchilla, California. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong.
Clemency is a power that allows presidents to grant mercy, correct for excessive punishment, or bring an old conviction in line with changing times. Yet its
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