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dboreham04/23/20255 repliesview on HN

Time to remove the pardon powder. Has it achieved anything productive in the last 100 years?


Replies

nativeit04/23/2025

I think it's been used properly in a lot of instances, especially when you consider that federal law can quickly become out-of-step with modern sensibilities, so being able to relieve those harmed by laws flawed under contemporary standards is important. There's probably a better way of handling that, but it's one instance where the power of presidential and governors' pardons have been applied appropriately.

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sterlind04/23/2025

it's written into the Constitution very explicitly. and it's a really bad time to hold a Constitutional Convention.

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romellem04/23/2025

To remove the presidential pardon power, you'd need to [amend the Constitution][1]. Getting [two thirds of both Houses of Congress][2] to pass any amendment in the foreseeable future seems highly unlikely if not downright inconceivable.

[1]: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C1-3...

[2]: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artV-1/ALDE_0...

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Reason07704/23/2025

It's a bizarre and archaic power, which has been abused by presidents from both parties.

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