The Presidential Pardon Power

The Presidential Pardon Power

Author: National Constitution Center May 9, 2025 Duration: 59:52
Brian Kalt  of Michigan State College of Law and  Jeffrey Toobin, author of  The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, join Jeffrey Rosen to explore the founders’ vision for the pardon power and the use of the presidential pardon throughout American history—from Thomas Jefferson’s pardons to those issued by Presidents Biden and Trump.  This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall series on March 27, 2025.  Resources  Jeffrey Toobin, ⁠The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy⁠ (2025)  Brian Kalt, ⁠Constitutional Cliffhangers⁠ (2012)  ⁠Nixon Pardon⁠ (Gerald Ford Presidential Library)  ⁠Trump v. United States⁠ (2024)  Alexander Hamilton, ⁠The Federalist No. 74⁠, New York Packet (March 28, 1788)  Abraham Lincoln, “⁠Proclamation 124—Offering Pardon to Deserters⁠” (March 11, 1865)  ⁠United States v. Klein⁠ (1871)  ⁠Ex parte Garland⁠ (1866)  Andrew Glass, “⁠Bush pardons Iran-Contra felons, Dec. 24, 1992⁠,” Politico (Dec. 24, 2018)  ⁠Presidential Records Act⁠  Donald Trump, “⁠Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Events at or Near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021⁠,” (Jan. 20. 2025)  Jimmy Carter, “⁠Proclamation 4483—Granting pardon for violations of the Selective Service Act, August 4, 1964, to March 28, 1973⁠,” (Jan. 21, 1973)  ⁠Pardons granted by President Barack Obama⁠  ⁠Pardons granted by President Joe Biden⁠  ⁠Pardons granted by President Bill Clinton⁠  ⁠Pardons granted by President Donald Trump⁠ Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠ Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. ⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming ⁠⁠⁠live program⁠⁠⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠. Support our important work. ⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

Hosted by National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, We the People is a weekly conversation that digs into the constitutional questions shaping the country right now. This isn't just a history lesson, though historical context is always part of the discussion. Instead, each episode brings together leading voices-legal scholars, journalists, public officials, and advocates-to engage in thoughtful, civil debate. You'll hear genuine dialogue where participants articulate and defend their positions, offering a clearer understanding of the complex legal and philosophical principles at stake. The goal is to move beyond headlines and soundbites, providing a forum where the best arguments from all sides are presented with depth and respect. Tuning into this podcast feels like sitting in on a crucial discussion at the intersection of law, politics, and society, one that illuminates how the Constitution actively influences contemporary American life. Produced by the National Constitution Center, it serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their grasp of the nation's founding document and its powerful, ongoing role in our public discourse.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

We the People
Podcast Episodes
What Is the Legacy of the Roberts Court on Its 20th Anniversary? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:31
In this episode, Steve Vladeck of the Georgetown University Law Center and Sarah Isgur of SCOTUSblog join to discuss the legacy of the Roberts Court on its 20th anniversary and preview the important cases in the Supreme…
Introducing Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. Th…
Can President Trump Fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:53
In this episode, Christine Chabot of Marquette University Law School and Michael McConnell of Stanford Law School join to discuss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s termination and the broader legal and constitutional…
The History and Future of Partisan Gerrymandering in America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:43
In this episode, Bradley Smith of Capital University Law School and Nicholas Stephanopoulos of Harvard Law School join to discuss the history and future of partisan gerrymandering, including the mid-decade redistricting…
A Conversation on America’s 250th [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:12
In this episode, Sabrina Lynn Motley, director of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, discuss how…
Is Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act Unconstitutional? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:40
In this episode, Bradley Smith of Capital University Law School and Nicholas Stephanopoulos of Harvard Law School join to discuss the history and future of racial gerrymandering, including how the Court’s upcoming decisi…
The Oldest Constitutional Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:28
In this episode, Richard Primus of the University of Michigan Law School and John Harrison of the University of Virginia School of Law join to discuss Primus’s new book The Oldest Constitutional Question: Enumeration and…
The Past, Present, and Future of Abortion in America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:45
In this episode, Mary Ziegler of the UC Davis School of Law and Stephen Gilles of the Quinnipiac University School of Law join to discuss Ziegler’s new book Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction, which explores…