Tangle SPECIAL EDITION: Biden and Trump show us the promise and peril of presidential clemency.
8 snips
Feb 17, 2025 Dive into the intriguing world of presidential clemency as the podcast examines the contrasting approaches of Biden and Trump. Discover how their actions reflect broader themes in justice and politics. The discussion covers how clemency affects communities, the historical significance behind these decisions, and the implications for criminal justice reform. With a focus on accountability, delve into the complexities of pardons within a divided political landscape, illustrating the personal stakes involved.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Clemency's Double Edge
- Presidents Biden and Trump used clemency powers for arguably just causes, like reducing drug sentences.
- However, they also used these powers to pardon family and allies, raising ethical questions.
Constitutional Clemency
- The Constitution grants the president broad clemency powers, intended to mitigate harsh laws.
- Alexander Hamilton argued for this power to temper justice with mercy and avoid excessive punishments.
Clemency in Action
- Biden commuted many drug sentences, seemingly acknowledging past support for harsh drug laws.
- Trump also commuted drug sentences, including Alice Marie Johnson's, using it in his campaign.
