Has any President not given a pardon?
Asked by: Miguel Schowalter | Last update: July 3, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (47 votes)
Yes, two U.S. presidents did not issue any pardons during their time in office: William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield. Both served extremely short terms and died in office, leaving them with no opportunity to exercise this authority.
Which presidents did not get pardoned?
Whig president William Henry Harrison was one of only two presidents who issued no pardons, the other being James A. Garfield. This was due to Harrison's death shortly after taking office.
Is there anyone the President cannot pardon?
Yes, the U.S. President’s pardon power is broad but not absolute. According to Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, a president cannot grant pardons in cases of impeachment. Additionally, the president can only pardon federal offenses, meaning they cannot pardon state-level convictions, civil lawsuits, or future crimes.
How many did Biden actually pardon?
President Joe Biden issued 80 individual pardons and granted thousands of additional pardons by categorical proclamations during his presidency.
Why did Barack Obama pardon so many people?
President Obama granted a high volume of clemencies (1,715 commutations and 212 pardons) primarily to correct what he viewed as unjust, outdated, and excessively harsh sentencing laws for nonviolent, low-level drug offenses. His administration focused on reducing mandatory minimum sentences that disproportionately impacted minorities and contributed to mass incarceration.
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How many pardons has Trump given vs Obama?
As of May 2026, Donald Trump has granted significantly more total clemency (approx. 1,700–1,800) than Barack Obama (1,927 total, but mostly commutations), largely due to mass, early second-term pardons. While Obama granted 1,715 commutations and 212 individual pardons, Trump’s total includes over 1,500 Jan. 6-related pardons and over 144 individual first-term pardons.
Who refused a presidential pardon?
Wilson, however, refused the pardon. The Supreme Court was thus asked to rule on the case. The decision was that if the prisoner does not accept the pardon, it is not in effect: "A pardon is a deed, to the validity of which delivery is essential, and delivery is not complete without acceptance.
Can anybody override a presidential pardon?
No, a U.S. presidential pardon generally cannot be overturned, revoked, or appealed once it has been delivered and accepted. The power is rooted in the Constitution, making it absolute for federal crimes (except impeachment), and cannot be undone by Congress, courts, or a future president.
Did Bill Clinton pardon his brother?
Yes, President Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton Jr., on January 20, 2001, his final day in office. The pardon cleared Roger’s 1985 conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he had already served over a year in federal prison.
Are you still a felon after a presidential pardon?
Yes, a person who receives a presidential pardon is still technically a convicted felon, as a pardon does not erase the historical record of the conviction, nor does it imply innocence. However, a pardon removes the punishment, restores civil rights (like voting or holding office), and lifts legal disabilities resulting from the conviction.
Does a pardon erase the crime?
The California Constitution gives the Governor the right to pardon someone convicted of a crime in California. A pardon can restore some, but not all, rights lost due to a conviction. It does not erase or seal a record. California Constitution, Article 5, §8.
What are three things a president Cannot do?
Under the U.S. Constitution, a president cannot make new laws, declare war, or spend federal money without congressional approval. The powers of the presidency are strictly limited by the system of checks and balances and separation of powers.
Do you have to be found guilty to be pardoned?
No, you do not have to be guilty—or even convicted—to be pardoned, though a pardon is legally interpreted as an act of forgiveness for a crime rather than a declaration of innocence. A pardon can be issued at any time after a crime is committed, including before any charges or convictions occur.
What rank was Donald Trump in military school?
Donald Trump reached the rank of cadet captain during his senior year at the New York Military Academy (NYMA), where he graduated in 1964. As a senior, he was appointed captain of Company A, which was one of the top leadership positions on campus, following his role as a supply sergeant during his junior year.
Who cannot be pardoned by a president?
The President of the United States cannot pardon individuals for state or local crimes, civil cases, or in cases of impeachment. The pardon power, granted in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, is strictly limited to "offenses against the United States," meaning only federal offenses can be pardoned.
Who did Obama pardon?
President Barack Obama granted 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations during his two terms in office. Prominent individuals pardoned or granted clemency include:
Why did Biden pardon his brother?
Pardon by Joe Biden
The President stated that he did not believe anyone in his family was guilty of wrongdoing, but pardoned them due to his fear of future political attacks onto his family from Donald Trump, who would ascend to the Presidency on the same day.
Who was the president who lied under oath?
Bill Clinton is the only U.S. president to be impeached for lying under oath. In 1998, he testified before a federal grand jury that he did not have a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, a statement that led to charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
How old was Monica Lewinsky when she slept with Bill?
Monica Lewinsky was 22 years old when her relationship with President Bill Clinton began in 1995, and she was 24 when the scandal became public in 1998.
What is the only exception to the President's pardon power?
Constitutional basis
The President ... shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of impeachment.
Can a federal judge overrule a pardon?
Pardons are subject to public scrutiny, especially when granted to high-profile individuals. Courts generally do not have the power to overturn a pardon, but judicial challenges to the process may arise if the pardon is deemed to be in violation of the law or Constitution.
Can the Supreme Court overturn a presidential pardon?
No, the Supreme Court cannot overturn a lawfully issued presidential pardon. The Constitution grants the president plenary (absolute) power to pardon federal crimes, excluding cases of impeachment, and this authority is not subject to review by the judicial or legislative branches.
Which President never pardoned?
Yes, two U.S. presidents did not issue any pardons or commutations during their time in office: William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield. Both presidents did not grant clemency because their terms were cut short by death shortly after taking office, leaving them no practical opportunity to do so.
Who is not eligible for a pardon?
Individuals who have been charged but not yet convicted or whose conviction is under appeal are not yet eligible for pardon. This is a threshold requirement rather than a “disqualification” per se, but in effect, it disqualifies any person without a final conviction.