My best understanding is that it was a historic right of kings, governors, etc. The idea was to show mercy to those who may have been convicted wrongly, or to people convicted of laws that have been overturned.
Trump is abusing it in ways never done before to payback political supporters.
Could someone explain like to an non American why the president gets to pardon people at all?
If someone committed a crime they’re guilty, if there’s new evidence that they’re not guilty then that’s what appeals are for.
My best understanding is that it was a historic right of kings, governors, etc. The idea was to show mercy to those who may have been convicted wrongly, or to people convicted of laws that have been overturned.
Trump is abusing it in ways never done before to payback political supporters.
TBF Biden abused it as well in pardoning his son.
Carter’s blanket pardon of Vietnam War draft dodgers was pretty important
Yes - exactly. That’s the sort of high-minded use that I believe the framers were considering.
Sounds like a rule that very much should have been left in the 17th century
Sir, you look like the piss boy!
Yeah? And you look like a bucket of shit.