How many pardons did Trump give in 2020?
Asked by: Mrs. Amelie Senger | Last update: June 30, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (21 votes)
During his first term in 2020, Donald Trump granted a relatively small number of pardons and commutations compared to his final days in office, with notable actions including Michael Flynn, Roger Stone, and Paul Manafort. However, on his last full day in office (January 19, 2021), he granted 143 pardons and commutations.
How many people did Donald Trump pardon in 2020?
Pardons. Trump issued a total of 144 pardons during his first four years in office: 1 in 2017, 6 in 2018, 11 in 2019, 52 in 2020, and 74 in January 2021. N/A – Arpaio's pardon was issued after his conviction, but prior to his being sentenced.
How many pardons has Trump issued vs. Biden?
As of early 2026, Joe Biden granted significantly more total clemency actions (approx. 4,200+) during his 2021–2025 term, mostly via commutations, while Donald Trump issued over 1,600+ pardons across his first term and initial second-term actions, focusing on high-profile figures and mass actions, according to Al Jazeera, The Fulcrum, and Axios.
How many people did Obama pardon vs. Trump?
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 can overrule a presidential pardon?
A Presidential pardon is generally considered final and cannot be overturned or revoked by a subsequent president, Congress, or the courts once it is delivered and accepted. The power is rooted in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, which limits it only by excluding cases of impeachment.
Trump pardons Giuliani, other key figures allegedly involved in efforts to overturn 2020 election
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granted a high volume of clemencies (1,715 commutations and 212 pardons) primarily to correct what he viewed as unjust, outdated, and excessively harsh sentencing laws for nonviolent, low-level drug offenses.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.
Which president issued the most pardons?
Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for the most presidential pardons in U.S. history, granting 2,819 over his four terms. Other top issuers include Harry S. Truman (1,913), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1,110), and Woodrow Wilson (1,087). While often focused on specific cases, Roosevelt's high numbers were influenced by his long tenure and numerous Prohibition-era cases.
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.
How many did Clinton pardon?
Bill Clinton granted executive clemency to a total of 456 to 459 individuals during his presidency (1993–2001), which included 396 pardons and 61 commutations. Notably, he issued 140 of these pardons in the final hours of his presidency on January 20, 2001.
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.
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.
What did Biden actually accomplish during his presidency?
As of January 20, 2025, Joe Biden’s presidency was defined by massive legislative achievements focused on economic recovery, infrastructure, and climate change, including the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He oversaw the creation of over 16 million jobs, the strongest post-COVID economic recovery in the G7, and made historic investments in clean energy and manufacturing.
How many did Trump and Biden pardon?
As of early 2026, Joe Biden granted significantly more total clemency actions (approx. 4,200+) during his 2021–2025 term, mostly via commutations, while Donald Trump issued over 1,600+ pardons across his first term and initial second-term actions, focusing on high-profile figures and mass actions, according to Al Jazeera, The Fulcrum, and Axios.
How many pardons can each President give?
There are no limits to how many people the President may pardon. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, pardoned 2,819 individuals during his time in office – more than any other President. President Barack Obama pardoned 212 individuals during his time in office.
Can a President pardon themselves?
Whether a US President can pardon themselves is an unsettled legal question with no precedent, but most legal scholars argue it is not permitted. While some argue the pardon power is absolute, the Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded in 1974 that a president cannot pardon themselves due to the fundamental rule that "no one may be a judge in his own case".
How many total pardons did Obama give?
President Barack Obama granted 212 pardons during his two terms in office (2009–2017). While his total number of pardons was lower than many predecessors, he significantly focused on commutations, granting 1,715, which was a record at the time.
Which president did not pardon anyone?
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.
How many criminals did president Trump pardon?
This list included Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and former chief of staff Mark Meadows. NBC News analyzed Trump's pardons for 88 individuals granted through January 20, 2026, and found that more than half of them went to wealthy criminals convicted for white-collar crimes such as money laundering and fraud.
Who cannot be pardoned by the president?
The President of the United States may pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the United States. They may also pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the District of Columbia. The president cannot grant pardons for violations of state laws.
Can anyone overrule a presidential pardon?
A presidential pardon—no matter how controversial—cannot be overturned. The Constitution gives the pardon power to the executive branch alone, not the legislative branch (Congress) or the judicial branch (federal courts, including the Supreme Court).