Pardon Power and Presidential Authority with Professor Andrew Rudalevige - Part 1

In the opening segment of America’s NewsHour, Bill Bernardoni raises a crucial question: what happens when a president’s pardon power stops being a tool of mercy and becomes a tool of politics? Bill begins with a monologue on how the Founders envisioned pardons as rare and solemn — a constitutional pressure valve to correct injustice or calm national turmoil. But in recent years, pardons have shifted toward strategic use: rewarding allies, signaling loyalty, and reshaping outcomes the justice system has already decided. To explore the consequences, Bill is joined by Professor Andrew Rudalevige, Thomas Brackett Reed Professor of Government at Bowdoin College and one of the nation’s leading scholars on presidential power. Together they discuss the history of clemency, how modern presidents have expanded this authority, and the impact on courts, juries, and public trust when convictions begin to feel temporary. A smart, even-keeled conversation about constitutional design, political incentives, and why Congress may need to take some power back.Should Congress step in to limit or redefine the presidential pardon power — or would that undermine the purpose of mercy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.