The Evolution of the Presidential Pardon From Jefferson to Trump

In this episode, Brian Kalt of Michigan State College of Law and Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, explore the founders’ vision for the pardon power and the use of the presidential pardon throughout American history—from Thomas Jefferson’s pardons to those issued by Presidents Biden and Trump. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

• Jeffrey Toobin, The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy (2025)
• Brian Kalt, Constitutional Cliffhangers (2012)
• Nixon Pardon (Gerald Ford Presidential Library)
• Trump v. United States (2024)
• Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 74, New York Packet (March 28, 1788)
• Abraham Lincoln, “Proclamation 124—Offering Pardon to Deserters” (March 11, 1865)
• United States v. Klein (1871)
• Ex parte Garland (1866)
• Andrew Glass, “Bush pardons Iran-Contra felons, Dec. 24, 1992,” Politico (Dec. 24, 2018)
• Presidential Records Act
• Donald Trump, “Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Events at or Near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” (Jan. 20. 2025)
• Jimmy Carter, “Proclamation 4483—Granting pardon for violations of the Selective Service Act, August 4, 1964, to March 28, 1973,” (Jan. 21, 1973)
• Pardons granted by President Barack Obama
• Pardons granted by President Joe Biden
• Pardons granted by President Bill Clinton
• Pardons granted by President Donald Trump

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