Can Trump use his presidential pardons to his advantage when he takes office?

Before he leaves office, cover all the bases, President Joe Biden has given his son Hunter a full and unconditional pardonwhich directly contradicts his previous public statements that he would not do so. Biden had repeatedly assured the public and press that he would not use his executive authority to pardon Hunter, who faced possible prison time Federal tax and gun fees.

Previous presidents have issued controversial pardons, such as Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon.

The president’s pardon powers are broad but not unlimited. While presidents can pardon federal crimes, they cannot interfere in state prosecutions or civil lawsuits.

With Trump’s history of controversial clemency decisionsHow could he use this constitutional power to his advantage in his second term?

How Trump could use the presidential pardon

Trump’s past use of pardons offers a glimpse into his possible strategy. During his first term he granted clemency to 143 peoplemany of whom had personal or political connections to him. This pattern of pardoning allies and supporters has raised concerns about the use of clemency as a tool of self-interest rather than justice, but with Biden doing the same thing, Democrats have little to offer as a counterargument.

One of the most controversial aspects of Trump’s potential pardon strategy is his promise to pardon the January 6 rioters if re-elected. This step could effectively scuttle the Justice Department’s extensive investigation into the Capitol insurrection.

Trump has also claimed this before the “absolute right” to pardon oneselfan idea that is still legally untested and highly controversial. Since the proceedings against him are failing, this cannot be undertaken.

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