Everybody Get's a Presidential Pardon?

In this thought-provoking Liberty Roundtable short, Sam Bushman dives into the intriguing dynamics of presidential pardons. Did you know a pardon only takes effect if the recipient accepts it—and by doing so, they acknowledge guilt? Citing a little-known 1950 Supreme Court ruling, Sam explores how this legal nuance affects high-profile pardons on both the Biden and Trump sides, including figures like Fauci. Sam raises a fascinating scenario: could pardons granted by President Biden be legally challenged on the basis of his alleged incompetence? Drawing parallels to personal legal cases involving incompetency, Sam questions if the same principle could apply to overturn questionable pardons. This episode sheds light on the underappreciated complexities of presidential pardons and raises important questions about accountability.