Pardons
32 Articles

Nine Experts on the Impact of President Trump’s Pardons and Commutations for January 6 Offenders
We asked nine experts about what clemencies might herald for the future of the rule of law, political violence, and extremism.

What Just Happened: Trump’s January 6 Pardons and Assaults on Law Enforcement Officers By The Numbers
Trump pardoned nearly all the Jan. 6 defendants – including violent offenders. Several hundred of the pardoned defendants were charged with assaulting or obstructing law enforcement…

Questions for Senators (And Journalists) to Ask Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi
We asked leading experts what questions Committee members should ask Bondi in her confirmation hearing.

Heat Map of January 6th Defendants Across the United States
An interactive public resource.

Proud Boys Threat Assessment: From the Planning of January 6th to Future Scenarios
The Proud Boys, more than any other organized extremist group, planned the January 6th attack on the US Capitol and led the charge. If they can harness the capacity to do it again,…

Congress Can Curb Abuse of the Presidential Pardon Power
Congress can impose consequences for presidents abusing the pardon power by increasing oversight and imposing transparency requirements.

Gaps in Trump’s Pardons: How the Biden Administration Can Still Pursue Justice
Former FBI General Counsel and top prosecutor in Special Counsel's Office explains how the pardons for Bannon, Manafort, Stone left the door open for Justice Department to now…

Purpose, Not Specificity, Limits the Pardon Power: A Rejoinder to Rappaport
'Tis the season for pardons. But must a pardon spell out the crimes to which it applies? The latest in an ongoing conversation between Prof's Bowman and Rappaport on the legality…

Can a Pardon Be a War Crime?: When Pardons Themselves Violate the Laws of War
Editor’s note: Originally published on May 25, 2019; with an author’s note published on Dec. 24, 2020. Author’s note, Dec. 24, 2020: Not all corrupt pardons…

Pardongate 2.0: Prosecutors and Congress Investigated Clinton’s Pardons. The Same Should Happen to Trump.
There's ample precedent (the investigations of Bill Clinton's pardons) and ample reason for Congress and the Department of Justice to launch investigations into President Trump's…

Are Blanket Pardons Constitutional? A Reply to Bowman
If news reports are to be believed, President Trump is considering issuing blanket pardons (“for any and all offenses”) to many of his family-members and associates. In an…

The Constitutionality of Non-Specific Pardons
What the Framers' understanding and subsequent presidential practice tell us.