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Concept information

Preferred term

executive pardon  

Definition

  • The Constitution provides the chief executive (the president) with the power to pardon: “he [the president] shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.” Three qualifications exist: the act being pardoned must have been an offense against the United States, impeachment cannot be involved, and the act in question must have already been committed. Pardoning is one of the more controversial powers exercised by the president because there is no check on this power; even though the judiciary is considered the arbiter of the Constitution, it is unable to oversee this executive function and rule on its constitutionality. [Source: The Encyclopedia of Political Science; Executive Pardon]

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/N9J-ZZ3KC252-D

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