Mercy from on High

Why do presidents have the power to pardon, and how is it typically used and abused? Sai Prakash and James Patterson discuss the pardon power's origins in British law, its usefulness in ending rebellions, and the unfortunate tendency of more recent presidents to use the pardon power to reward friends and donors, protect underlings, or generate political support. Related Links The Presidential Pardon by Sai Prakash "The Personal Pardon Power" by Philip Hamberger, Law & Liberty "Is It Too Late to Recover the Founders' Presidency?" by Gary L. Gregg II, Law & Liberty