The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

csmsss · January 24, 2012, 02:51 PM

armoredman, the POTUS has absolute pardon authority. For an example of how a big campaign donor influenced the President to issue a pardon, google Marc Rich pardon or Denise Rich.

The only check on a President's pardon authority is Congress's power to impeach, his own desire to be reelected, and/or his desire to keep his presidential legacy and reputation untarnished. Aside from that, it's anything goes, albeit outright sales of pardons probably falls under federal anti-bribery and anti-racketeering statutes.

January 24, 2012, 02:51 PM	#1865
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	armoredman, the POTUS has absolute pardon authority. For an example of how a big campaign donor influenced the President to issue a pardon, google Marc Rich pardon or Denise Rich. The only check on a President's pardon authority is Congress's power to impeach, his own desire to be reelected, and/or his desire to keep his presidential legacy and reputation untarnished. Aside from that, it's anything goes, albeit outright sales of pardons probably falls under federal anti-bribery and anti-racketeering statutes. Last edited by csmsss; January 24, 2012 at 03:09 PM.