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1/ To pardon or not to pardon? To impeach or not to impeach? We’ve been here before.
This week, we’re going back to the Nixon era to learn about the president’s pardon power – and its limits. revealnews.org/episodes/pardo…
This week, we’re going back to the Nixon era to learn about the president’s pardon power – and its limits. revealnews.org/episodes/pardo…
2/ So far, president Trump has used presidential clemency 12 times. Many of his decisions were controversial, and they were made on the recommendation of celebrity friends. nytimes.com/2018/06/06/us/…
3/ The president has mentioned clemency when talking about himself and those around him. The word “pardon” appears 63 times in the Mueller report.
Last June, Trump tweeted that he has the “absolute right” to pardon himself.
Last June, Trump tweeted that he has the “absolute right” to pardon himself.
4/ This isn’t the first time a president has talked about using the right to grant clemency for personal gain.
5/ In 1973, President Nixon mentioned using the pardon power during the Watergate cover-up.
He told his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldemen, that his co-conspirators could commit perjury in front of the Senate Watergate Committee and be pardoned after.
He told his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldemen, that his co-conspirators could commit perjury in front of the Senate Watergate Committee and be pardoned after.
6/ Amid accusations of obstruction of justice, Nixon's presidency began to crumble. Vice President Ford was given two options about what could happen next: Nixon could pardon himself, or be pardoned by his successor.
7/ Nixon resigned on Aug. 8, 1974.
Ford pardoned him a month later.
Ford pardoned him a month later.
8/ In 2001, Dan Kobil, a law professor at Capital University in Ohio, interviewed Ford about his controversial decision to pardon his predecessor.
Ford said that he pardoned Nixon because he felt the public needed a resolution.
Ford said that he pardoned Nixon because he felt the public needed a resolution.
9/ Years after Nixon’s pardon, parallel accusations are emerging about the current administration, as President Trump’s attorney has discussed pardons with Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort.
10/ Meanwhile, those who file for clemency through the official channels join a backlog of 13,000 waiting for answers on their petitions.
Hear the episode: revealnews.org/episodes/pardo…
Hear the episode: revealnews.org/episodes/pardo…
