The President's power to pardon is broad, unchallengeable, and almost unlimited. Here are 25 of the most controversial pardons and commutations in history.

James PasleyMay 6, 2023, 00:32 IST

Former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford in 1974.David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

US presidents have the power to pardon anyone in the country who has been convicted of a federal crime.
They have pardoned and commuted sentences of advisors, celebrities, and family members.

For the last few hundred years, US presidents have pardoned people convicted of federal crimes.

While the crimes varied, they shared the commonality of their pardons being marred with controversy.

From clemency for former confederates to Vietnam draft dodgers to pardoning the billionaire fugitive Marc Rich, here are some of the most notable presidential pardons in history.

In 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton questioned whether the US should have the power to pardon people for federal crimes. The power already existed in England and was executed by the monarchy.

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, circa 1795.Three Lions/Getty Images

In 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton questioned whether the US should have the power to pardon people for federal crimes. The power already existed in England and was executed by the monarchy.

There are four types of presidential pardons — one that removes a crime completely, one that delays a sentence, one that shortens or removes a sentence, and one that ends a person's legal obligations, like having to pay a fine.

Frederick Cook, while laying in a hospital bed, is shown news of a pardon issued by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1940.AP

There are four types of presidential pardons — one that removes a crime completely, one that delays a sentence, one that shortens or removes a sentence, and one that ends a person's legal obligations, like having to pay a fine.

In 1795, President George Washington granted the first two pardons. They were for Philip Weigel and John Mitchell, two men who had been found guilty of treason for their roles in the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion.

Men wave guns and weapons during the Whisky Rebellion in the late 1700s.Fotosearch/Getty Images

In 1795, President George Washington granted the first two pardons. They were for Philip Weigel and John Mitchell, two men who had been found guilty of treason for their roles in the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion.

President Thomas Jefferson pardoned any citizen convicted under the Sedition Act of 1798, which made it a criminal offense to say anything defamatory about the government.

A portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Mather Brown from 1786.AP

President Thomas Jefferson pardoned any citizen convicted under the Sedition Act of 1798, which made it a criminal offense to say anything defamatory about the government.

In 1812, smuggler and pirate Jean Lafitte, who flouted the law by smuggling goods and enslaved people, earned himself a pardon from President James Madison after Lafitte defended New Orleans during a war.

A portrait of Jean Lafitte.Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1812, smuggler and pirate Jean Lafitte, who flouted the law by smuggling goods and enslaved people, earned himself a pardon from President James Madison after Lafitte defended New Orleans during a war.

President James K. Polk pardoned John C. Fremont, an explorer and military leader who had been court-martialed after he committed insubordination during the Mexican-American War.

American explorer and leader Major General John Charles Fremont, circa 1861.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

President James K. Polk pardoned John C. Fremont, an explorer and military leader who had been court-martialed after he committed insubordination during the Mexican-American War.

In a historic first, President Andrew Jackson tried to pardon George Wilson in 1833 for stealing mail and endangering a mail carrier, but Wilson rejected the pardon.

Andrew Jackson portrait on twenty dollar bill.Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images

In 1858, President James Buchanan offered pardons to all Utah Mormons as long as they accepted the US as their sovereign state.

A portrait of Brigham Young, the Mormon leader.The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln pardoned 265 Dakota Indian men for their role in an attack that killed almost 500 people in a white settlement in Minnesota, which led to the Dakota War of 1862.

President Abraham Lincoln has a nuanced legacy of racial emancipation.Getty Images

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln pardoned 265 Dakota Indian men for their role in an attack that killed almost 500 people in a white settlement in Minnesota, which led to the Dakota War of 1862.

In 1868, President Andrew Johnson pardoned more than 13,000 former Confederates.

A photo of Andrew Johnson from before 1875.Library of Congress

Johnson also pardoned Samuel A. Mudd, a doctor who had been convicted of conspiracy for harboring John Wilkes Booth and treating his broken leg after he assassinated Lincoln.

John Wilkes Booth, assassin of US President Abraham Lincoln.Alexander Gardner/Library of Congress

Johnson also pardoned Samuel A. Mudd, a doctor who had been convicted of conspiracy for harboring John Wilkes Booth and treating his broken leg after he assassinated Lincoln.

In 1911, President Howard Taft pardoned Captain William Van Schaick. Schaick had been imprisoned for criminal negligence after he continued to steer a steamer up the Long Island Sound for two minutes before he beached the boat.

Archive Photos/Getty

In 1911, President Howard Taft pardoned Captain William Van Schaick. Schaick had been imprisoned for criminal negligence after he continued to steer a steamer up the Long Island Sound for two minutes before he beached the boat.

In 1950, President Harry Truman pardoned corrupt politician James Michael Curley after he was convicted of mail fraud and spent five months in prison.

James Michael Curley in 1935.Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1974, President Gerald Ford controversially pardoned his predecessor Richard Nixon for any crimes he had "committed or may have committed or taken part of" a month after he resigned in light of the Watergate scandal. This was the first pre-emptive pardon.

President Gerald Ford announced his decision to grant a pardon to former President Richard Nixon in 1974.Pictures from History/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In 1974, President Gerald Ford controversially pardoned his predecessor Richard Nixon for any crimes he had "committed or may have committed or taken part of" a month after he resigned in light of the Watergate scandal. This was the first pre-emptive pardon.

Ford also pardoned a woman named Iva Toguri D'Acquino who had been convicted of treason due to her links to a Japanese radio show that had played propaganda to US soldiers during World War II.

American radio broadcaster Iva Toguri D'Aquino speaks to a journalist at a press conference in San Francisco in 1976.Janet Fries/Getty Images

Ford also pardoned a woman named Iva Toguri D'Acquino who had been convicted of treason due to her links to a Japanese radio show that had played propaganda to US soldiers during World War II.

In 1977, on his first day in office, President Jimmy Carter unconditionally pardoned all men who refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War, including men who hadn't been prosecuted yet.

President Jimmy Carter speaking at Merced College in 1980.Diana Walker/Getty Images

In 1977, on his first day in office, President Jimmy Carter unconditionally pardoned all men who refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War, including men who hadn't been prosecuted yet.

In 1989, President Ronald Reagan pardoned George Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, who had pled guilty to making illegal political donations to help Nixon and obstructing justice.

Yankee owner George Steinbrenner looks out to an empty Yankee Stadium in 1977.Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1989, President Ronald Reagan pardoned George Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, who had pled guilty to making illegal political donations to help Nixon and obstructing justice.

Reagan also pardoned former FBI officials associate director W. Mark Felt and his deputy Edward Miller after they were found guilty of authorizing agents to break into the homes of Vietnam protestors.

Former Associate Director of the FBI W. Mark Felt appears as a guest on the CBS news program, 'Face the Nation,' on August 29, 1976.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Reagan also pardoned former FBI officials associate director W. Mark Felt and his deputy Edward Miller after they were found guilty of authorizing agents to break into the homes of Vietnam protestors.

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush pardoned six former officials, including former Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger, who had been indicted for lying to Congress about secretly selling weapons to Iran, in what was known as the "Iran-Contra" scandal.

Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger in 1985.Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush pardoned six former officials, including former Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger, who had been indicted for lying to Congress about secretly selling weapons to Iran, in what was known as the "Iran-Contra" scandal.

In 2001, President Bill Clinton pardoned 140 people on his last day in office including billionaire Marc Rich, who had been a fugitive for decades for fraud related to making illegal oil deals and not paying more than $48 million in taxes.

US President Bill Clinton poses for photographers just before delivering his televised address to the American people about his involvement with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.LUKE FRAZZA/AFP via Getty Images

In 2001, President Bill Clinton pardoned 140 people on his last day in office including billionaire Marc Rich, who had been a fugitive for decades for fraud related to making illegal oil deals and not paying more than $48 million in taxes.

Clinton also pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, who had been convicted of drug charges.

President Bill Clinton talks with singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand and his half-brother Roger Clinton on election night backstage at the Old State House, Little Rock, Arkansas, November 5, 1996.David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

He also pardoned Patty Hearst, granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, who had been convicted of robbery and given a 35-year prison sentence.

Patty Hearst seen holding a machine gun.Getty Images

In 2008, in another first, President George W. Bush issued a pardon for Isaac Toussie and then reversed it the following day.

Former president George W. Bush speaks at his first news conference after his re-election on November 4, 2004 at the White House in Washington, D.C.Alex Wong/Getty Images

Bush also commuted the sentence of I. Lewis Libby, who had been Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Libby had revealed the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame and had been convicted of perjury and obstructing justice.

Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, arrives at federal court in Washington, Thursday, June 13, 2007.Associated Press/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Bush also commuted the sentence of I. Lewis Libby, who had been Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Libby had revealed the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame and had been convicted of perjury and obstructing justice.

In 2017, President Barack Obama commuted the remaining tenure of Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence for leaking military information to WikiLeaks down to four months.

Then-President Barack Obama speaks during his final presidential news conference at the White House on January 18, 2017.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File

In the last 12 hours of his presidency, President Donald Trump pardoned and commuted the sentences of 144 people, including former advisors Stephen Bannon and Roger Stone. He also pardoned Charles Kushner, Jared Kushner's father, and the rapper Lil Wayne.

Former President Donald Trump.Alex Brandon/AP

In the last 12 hours of his presidency, President Donald Trump pardoned and commuted the sentences of 144 people, including former advisors Stephen Bannon and Roger Stone. He also pardoned Charles Kushner, Jared Kushner's father, and the rapper Lil Wayne.

So far, President Joe Biden hasn't stoked much controversy with his pardons, which have been mostly for low-level crimes including those who were convicted of marijuana possession.

President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on January 12, 2023.AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

So far, President Joe Biden hasn't stoked much controversy with his pardons, which have been mostly for low-level crimes including those who were convicted of marijuana possession.

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The President's power to pardon is broad, unchallengeable, and almost unlimited. Here are 25 of the most controversial pardons and commutations in history.

In 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton questioned whether the US should have the power to pardon people for federal crimes. The power already existed in England and was executed by the monarchy.

There are four types of presidential pardons — one that removes a crime completely, one that delays a sentence, one that shortens or removes a sentence, and one that ends a person's legal obligations, like having to pay a fine.

In 1795, President George Washington granted the first two pardons. They were for Philip Weigel and John Mitchell, two men who had been found guilty of treason for their roles in the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion.

President Thomas Jefferson pardoned any citizen convicted under the Sedition Act of 1798, which made it a criminal offense to say anything defamatory about the government.

In 1812, smuggler and pirate Jean Lafitte, who flouted the law by smuggling goods and enslaved people, earned himself a pardon from President James Madison after Lafitte defended New Orleans during a war.

President James K. Polk pardoned John C. Fremont, an explorer and military leader who had been court-martialed after he committed insubordination during the Mexican-American War.

In a historic first, President Andrew Jackson tried to pardon George Wilson in 1833 for stealing mail and endangering a mail carrier, but Wilson rejected the pardon.

In 1858, President James Buchanan offered pardons to all Utah Mormons as long as they accepted the US as their sovereign state.

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln pardoned 265 Dakota Indian men for their role in an attack that killed almost 500 people in a white settlement in Minnesota, which led to the Dakota War of 1862.

In 1868, President Andrew Johnson pardoned more than 13,000 former Confederates.

Johnson also pardoned Samuel A. Mudd, a doctor who had been convicted of conspiracy for harboring John Wilkes Booth and treating his broken leg after he assassinated Lincoln.

In 1911, President Howard Taft pardoned Captain William Van Schaick. Schaick had been imprisoned for criminal negligence after he continued to steer a steamer up the Long Island Sound for two minutes before he beached the boat.

In 1950, President Harry Truman pardoned corrupt politician James Michael Curley after he was convicted of mail fraud and spent five months in prison.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford controversially pardoned his predecessor Richard Nixon for any crimes he had "committed or may have committed or taken part of" a month after he resigned in light of the Watergate scandal. This was the first pre-emptive pardon.

Ford also pardoned a woman named Iva Toguri D'Acquino who had been convicted of treason due to her links to a Japanese radio show that had played propaganda to US soldiers during World War II.

In 1977, on his first day in office, President Jimmy Carter unconditionally pardoned all men who refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War, including men who hadn't been prosecuted yet.

In 1989, President Ronald Reagan pardoned George Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, who had pled guilty to making illegal political donations to help Nixon and obstructing justice.

Reagan also pardoned former FBI officials associate director W. Mark Felt and his deputy Edward Miller after they were found guilty of authorizing agents to break into the homes of Vietnam protestors.

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush pardoned six former officials, including former Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger, who had been indicted for lying to Congress about secretly selling weapons to Iran, in what was known as the "Iran-Contra" scandal.

In 2001, President Bill Clinton pardoned 140 people on his last day in office including billionaire Marc Rich, who had been a fugitive for decades for fraud related to making illegal oil deals and not paying more than $48 million in taxes.

Clinton also pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, who had been convicted of drug charges.

He also pardoned Patty Hearst, granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, who had been convicted of robbery and given a 35-year prison sentence.

In 2008, in another first, President George W. Bush issued a pardon for Isaac Toussie and then reversed it the following day.

Bush also commuted the sentence of I. Lewis Libby, who had been Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Libby had revealed the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame and had been convicted of perjury and obstructing justice.

In 2017, President Barack Obama commuted the remaining tenure of Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence for leaking military information to WikiLeaks down to four months.

In the last 12 hours of his presidency, President Donald Trump pardoned and commuted the sentences of 144 people, including former advisors Stephen Bannon and Roger Stone. He also pardoned Charles Kushner, Jared Kushner's father, and the rapper Lil Wayne.

So far, President Joe Biden hasn't stoked much controversy with his pardons, which have been mostly for low-level crimes including those who were convicted of marijuana possession.