Ability to pardon

[HawkMachine]

This really isn't a Hunter/Joe/Trump discussion that I'm sure has already been done ad nauseam.

My question is:

Should a President have the ability to pardon?

Just looking for a simple Yes or No and the Why.

 

[HawkMachine]

I've never done a Poll so I probably messed this up.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

As it stands now. No.

If congress puts some guard rails in place. Maybe.

 

[jasonrann]

Zero shites given.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

I will ignorantly say no, as it seems a little too close to being a king, and should atleast require some form of vote.

Now someone will tell me why it actually exist and it will have a mildly reasonable rationale and we will all fling poo.

 

[BelemNole]

In theory? Yes, sometimes the systems gets it wrong.

The way it's been used recently? No.

 

[gohawks50]

Governors can pardon so Presidents should be able to pardon. Should there be limitations put on them, probably.

 

[Scruddy]

Probably needs refinement, but yes in general.

I will pull Joe back into this. He should NOT be able to pardon his son of blanket crimes committed over a decades plus long window. That's ridiculous.

 

[QChawks]

Yes but not to a relative or someone with close ties to the POTUS

 

[HawkMachine]

Zero shites given.

Really?

You should. JMO

 

[HawkMachine]

Governors can pardon so Presidents should be able to pardon.

Noted.

So really the question is should ANY political figure be able to pardon someone.

 

[HawkMachine]

In theory? Yes, sometimes the systems gets it wrong.

The way it's been used recently? No.

I think most would agree with this.

So HOW can it be fixed?

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

I've never done a Poll so I probably messed this up.

You're a natural, could have paid for college.

 

[gohawks50]

Noted.

So really the question is should ANY political figure be able to pardon someone.

Yes, because sometimes innocent people are convicted.

 

[mnole03]

Commutations should stay. Pardons should require independent ratification.

 

[Rifler]

The problem isn't with the power to pardon, the problem is with how that power is wielded,.. When it's all said and done I'm still Ok with how things are.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

As it stands now. No.

If congress puts some guard rails in place. Maybe.

This exactly. Should be some guidelines.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

There needs to be some limitations put in place.

Some thoughts I would have just brainstorming.

No pardoning yourself, a relative or a member of your administration or anyone you personally know.

Pardons must be for specific crimes, not blanket pardons over a period of time.

The person must have actually been convicted of the crime first.

We could also consider having a non political board (not sure how that could be appointed) that must ok a candidate before they can receive a pardon.

 

[BelemNole]

There needs to be some limitations put in place.

Some thoughts I would have just brainstorming.

No pardoning yourself, a relative or a member of your administration or anyone you personally know. Yes

Pardons must be for specific crimes, not blanket pardons over a period of time. Yes

The person must have actually been convicted of the crime first. Yes

We could also consider having a non political board (not sure how that could be appointed) that must ok a candidate before they can receive a pardon. No

Mostly right.

 

[BioHawk]

Yes, but with oversight. But that's not the way the Constitution was written so here we are.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

As it stands now. No.

If congress puts some guard rails in place. Maybe.

Problem is the constitution I'm pretty sure gives congress no authority to put in any guardrails on pardoning power.

The problem isn't with the power to pardon, the problem is with how that power is wielded,.. When it's all said and done I'm still Ok with how things are.

Ehh isn't that like saying that the problem with dictatorships isn't the unlimited power it's how that unlimited power is wielded?

Granted this is a lesser version of it but it seems to me to be the biggest unchecked power we give to executives (both Governors and Presidents) and is unshockingly one of the most abused powers.

I think most people see the need for some sort of pardon power because of miscarriages of justice and because on the occasion that we repeal a criminal law, those who are currently being punished violating that law before it was repealed should be spared further punishment.

What it turns into more often is making people who have friends/family in high places immune from the law plus it allows a president to get someone else to commit a crime on his behalf and pardon them out of it.

 

[CharYoteHawk]

Ask this again when it's not immediately following a very politically charged pardon.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

As long as it’s in the Constitution, and it’s not the President pardoning himself, yes.

 

[jneffer]

Yes, because sometimes innocent people are convicted.

addressing innocent people convicted of crimes should be a way bigger priority than it is

the way to do that is systematically (but then you get accused of being soft on crime)

we shouldn't be relying on the political whims of our highest offices to address that issue

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

I believe in righting wrongs.