How do Presidential pardons work? And why do we have them if

[GreenPartyVoter]

they can be used to excuse evil people who committed heinous crimes? Is there a loophole we need to close so they can only be used for good?

[skids]

1. Another question: could PlameGate convictions end up in SCOTUS? n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Oh..lovely

[AndyTiedye]

3. A Presidential Pardon Doesn't Work in THIS Court

The Peace Palace, the Hague, Netherlands. Home of the International Criminal Court

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Of course, we didn't sign on for that one. We're too good for it.

[AndyTiedye]

6. So We Sign the ICC Treaty, and Then Send them to the Hague

Obviously this all depends on the somewhat unlikely event of the
return of legitimate governance in this country.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. That's a big if. :^(

[jim3775]

5. Why is the president allowed to issue pardons?

This Canadian would like to know.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Honestly, I am not sure. I suppose it is useful for things like letting

"draft dodgers" (aka COs) return home after immoral wars and things.

[tx_dem41]

15. Its in the Constitution. See post #14. n/t

[ArkDem]

9. What you mean 'we', kemosabe?

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Why, the DU Posse! We ride again; Away!!!!

[ArkDem]

11. Hi! Yo! AWAY!

Opps, I mean "You are alone now. Last man. You are lone ranger".

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. We can be the lone rangerS.. like on the X-fiels. *g*

[gratuitous]

13. The executive power of pardon

I think it's kind of a holdover from the divine right of kings, who once had the absolute power of life and death over their subjects. It's anachronistic, undemocratic, and antithetical to most other principles of government in our country, but it's been there from the beginning. The power is absolute and unreviewable, and can only be revoked or modified by constitutional amendment, as the Republicans found out when they tried to make a big stink over the Marc Rich pardon by Bill Clinton.

Curiously, no Republicans ever seem to remember George H.W. Bush's lame duck pardon of Cap Weinberger and Eliot Abrams on December 24, 1992, just before they went on trial in the Iran-contra investigation, a trial that could have put Bush in personal peril of prosecution.

[tx_dem41]

14. We have them because they are in Article II of the Constitution.

"Section 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. "