The Power Of Presidential Pardons: Ron's Office Hours

NPR's Ron Elving explains the history, power and limits of the presidential pardon.

NPR's Ron Elving explains the history, power and limits of the presidential pardon. Photo by NPR - NPR

A presidential pardon can't be stopped, blocked, vetoed or overturned. So where does this power come from? And is there any limit to it?

President Trump says he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself (though he says he wouldn't need to because he hasn't done anything wrong).

Just how powerful is the president when it comes to pardons? The latest episode of Ron's Office Hours explains the history of the act and what the Constitution allows.

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