Timeline: presidential pardons
1787- Presidential Pardons Granted as a Power to the President
Presidential Pardons were written into The Constitution in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a power granted to the president. (Click here to see the text in the Constitution on presidential pardons)
Presidential Pardons were written into The Constitution in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a power granted to the president. (Click here to see the text in the Constitution on presidential pardons)
July 10th, 1795- First Use of Presidential Pardons
On July 10th, 1795, George Washington pardoned two people that were accused of treason that were part of the Whiskey Rebellion. This was the first use of this presidential power. (Click here to read more about Washington's pardon.)
On July 10th, 1795, George Washington pardoned two people that were accused of treason that were part of the Whiskey Rebellion. This was the first use of this presidential power. (Click here to read more about Washington's pardon.)
1904- Theodore Roosevelt's Pardon of Servillano Aquino
In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt pardoned Servillano Aquino, a leader of the Philippine army. (Click here to read more about Aquino's pardon)
In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt pardoned Servillano Aquino, a leader of the Philippine army. (Click here to read more about Aquino's pardon)
1912- William Taft's Pardon of Charles Morse
In 1912, William Taft pardoned a famous banker, Charles Morse. Morse got pardoned because he was dying in jail due to Bright's disease. It was later found that he faked the sickness. (Click here to read more about Morse's pardon)
In 1912, William Taft pardoned a famous banker, Charles Morse. Morse got pardoned because he was dying in jail due to Bright's disease. It was later found that he faked the sickness. (Click here to read more about Morse's pardon)
1915- Pardons can be Rejected by the Recipient
Pardons give people leeway, but in Burdick v. the United States, it is resolved that the recipient does not have to accept the pardon granted to him/her.
Pardons give people leeway, but in Burdick v. the United States, it is resolved that the recipient does not have to accept the pardon granted to him/her.
1933-1945- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Out of all of the presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt has currently given the most pardons in history, giving a total of 3,687 pardons.
Out of all of the presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt has currently given the most pardons in history, giving a total of 3,687 pardons.
1952- Harry Truman's Pardon of Oscar Collazo
In 1952, Harry Truman pardoned Oscar Collazo, a man that tried to assassinate him. His death sentence then got reduced to a life sentence. (Click here to read more about Collazo's pardon)
In 1952, Harry Truman pardoned Oscar Collazo, a man that tried to assassinate him. His death sentence then got reduced to a life sentence. (Click here to read more about Collazo's pardon)
September 8th, 1974- Ford's Pardon of Nixon
Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon is one of the most well known pardons. On September 8th, 1974, Ford Pardoned Nixon on national TV and made Richard Nixon be immune to any charges put against him as a result from the Watergate Scandal. (Click here to read more about Ford's pardon of Nixon)
Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon is one of the most well known pardons. On September 8th, 1974, Ford Pardoned Nixon on national TV and made Richard Nixon be immune to any charges put against him as a result from the Watergate Scandal. (Click here to read more about Ford's pardon of Nixon)
January 19th, 1977- Ford's Pardon of Iva D'Aquino
On January 19th, 1977, Gerald Ford pardoned Iva D'Aquino. Iva D'Aquino was wrongfully convicted of speaking treasonous words on a Japanese radio show. (Click here for more information on this pardon)
On January 19th, 1977, Gerald Ford pardoned Iva D'Aquino. Iva D'Aquino was wrongfully convicted of speaking treasonous words on a Japanese radio show. (Click here for more information on this pardon)
1979-Jimmy Carter's Pardon of Oscar Collazo
On September 6th, 1979, Jimmy Carter reduced Oscar Collazo's sentence. (Click here for more information on this pardon)
On September 6th, 1979, Jimmy Carter reduced Oscar Collazo's sentence. (Click here for more information on this pardon)
January 20th, 2001- Clinton's Pardon of Samuel Loring Morrison
On January 20th, 2001, the last day of President Clinton's presidency, Samuel Loring Morrison was pardoned. He then was immune to any punishments that he would have gotten for leaking classified photos. (Click here for more information on Morrison's pardon)
On January 20th, 2001, the last day of President Clinton's presidency, Samuel Loring Morrison was pardoned. He then was immune to any punishments that he would have gotten for leaking classified photos. (Click here for more information on Morrison's pardon)
January 20th, 2001- Clinton's Pardon of Roger Clinton Jr.
On January 20th, 2001, the last day of President Clinton's presidency, his half brother, Roger Clinton Jr., got pardoned. His criminal record was then cleared. (Click here for more information on this pardon)
On January 20th, 2001, the last day of President Clinton's presidency, his half brother, Roger Clinton Jr., got pardoned. His criminal record was then cleared. (Click here for more information on this pardon)
2014- Currently
Currently, President Obama has pardoned 61 people. Looking at the number of pardons given over the years, it seems that presidents are becoming more careful while using this power.
Currently, President Obama has pardoned 61 people. Looking at the number of pardons given over the years, it seems that presidents are becoming more careful while using this power.