Main Justice The Pardon Power
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Dec 24, 2024 
Trevor Morrison, NYU Law professor and Dean Emeritus, dives deep into the complexities of presidential pardon power. He discusses whether a president can pardon himself and the legality of blanket pardons for unadjudicated crimes. The conversation also touches on historical precedents and the moral implications of such actions. Additionally, the implications of political accountability in the Justice Department are explored, especially in light of recent cases. Morrison's insights unravel the intricate balance of law and political realities.
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Self-Pardon Possibility
- Trump's agreement to a dismissal without prejudice might signal confidence in a self-pardon.
- This raises the question of the legality and limits of presidential pardons.
Self-Pardon Legality
- Presidential self-pardons lack historical precedent and raise fundamental legal questions.
- A pardon's effectiveness relies on acceptance, making self-pardoning conceptually challenging.
Impeachment Clause and Self-Pardons
- The impeachment clause allows for post-impeachment prosecution, suggesting limits on presidential power.
- Self-pardoning contradicts the concept of a pardon as an optional act of grace.