Thu Dec 19, 2019, 08:37 AM
intrepidity (5,767 posts)
Can Impeached presidents still perform pardons?
What is that "...except in the case of impeachment" clause in the section about pardon powers?
|
7 replies, 949 views
Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum
Replies to this discussion thread
![]() |
Author | Time | Post |
![]() |
intrepidity | Dec 2019 | OP |
onenote | Dec 2019 | #1 | |
intrepidity | Dec 2019 | #3 | |
onenote | Dec 2019 | #4 | |
intrepidity | Dec 2019 | #6 | |
TwilightZone | Dec 2019 | #2 | |
MineralMan | Dec 2019 | #5 | |
LeftInTX | Dec 2019 | #7 |
Response to intrepidity (Original post)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 08:41 AM
onenote (39,092 posts)
1. Yes.
All that the pardon language in the impeachment provision means is that a president can't use the pardon power to undo an impeachment.
|
Response to onenote (Reply #1)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 08:51 AM
intrepidity (5,767 posts)
3. That's so oddly specific
I wonder what makes impeachment so unpardonable?
To me, it makes much more sense to remove that power from an impeached president. Like, murderers, serial killers, terrorists are all eligible for pardons, but someone who has been impeached is a bridge too far? Very odd, to me. |
Response to intrepidity (Reply #3)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 09:04 AM
onenote (39,092 posts)
4. It was carried over from British law
The Act of Settlement of 1701 imposed for the first time a limitation on the power of the King of England to grant pardons by providing that the pardon power did not extend to impeachments. Presumably, this step was taken by Parliament to protect their impeachment power from being undercut by the action of an unelected king (or queen).
|
Response to onenote (Reply #4)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 09:41 AM
intrepidity (5,767 posts)
6. Ok, that makes sense
Thank you for taking the time to explain the origin.
Although, it still doesn't make sense in today's context, but such is often the case with laws. ![]() |
Response to intrepidity (Original post)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 08:41 AM
TwilightZone (21,570 posts)
2. Yes.
Response to intrepidity (Original post)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 09:26 AM
MineralMan (144,949 posts)
5. Yes. Unless he he is convicted and removed from office
by the Senate, he is still the President, and can still exercise all of the functions of that office.
|
Response to intrepidity (Original post)
Thu Dec 19, 2019, 10:03 AM
LeftInTX (21,657 posts)
7. An impeachment is merely an indictment
Most elected officials under indictment are allowed to work and have full job duties.
|