- Joined
- Dec 8, 2011
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- Political Leaning
- Moderate
I don't think the President can pardon himself and should not have the power to do so. The power to deal with a President acting unlawfully is constitutionally given only to our elected representatives in Congress to do or to the people at the ballot box should the President run for re-election.
I do support the Presidential pardon, however, most especially in today's polarized and hateful and vindictive political environment. Those targeted by the opposition for political purposes for litigation when, if they were not supportive of the President or a political party would never have been targeted, should of course not suffer unfair consequences for their political beliefs. The risk we take allowing a President such power is that he will use it to benefit friends and cronies who should suffer consequences for bad deeds, and we have seen that happen. But it is a small risk.
Do you have any examples of someone imprisoned for political reasons? Also there is an appeals system to appeal to higher courts if you think the verdict is unjust, and is already used too much. The presidential pardon can also be used in these partisan times to free people who are guilty of real crimes, like Nixon who was pardoned when anyone else would be in jail. It is a huge risk giving someone power over our entire military and the ability of pardoning anyone on his staff of any corruption or abuse of power. This is the single largest threat to our democracy and is written right into our constitution. I think a presidential pardon is fine as long as it is done with a majority vote by the Supreme Court who is the final authority in judicial affairs.