Which president did not pardon anyone?
Asked by: Lawrence Hagenes | Last update: June 26, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (65 votes)
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.
What president never pardoned 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 did Biden actually pardon?
Over his four-year term (2021–2025), President Joe Biden issued 80 formal pardons and 4,165 commutations. Additionally, Biden granted broad, class-wide pardons by proclamation for thousands of federal marijuana possession offenses and for former military service members convicted under a repealed ban on consensual gay sex.
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.
Did Obama pardon anyone?
Yes, President Barack Obama granted 212 pardons and 1,385 commutations during his two terms in office (2009–2017). While his total number of pardons was relatively low compared to some predecessors, his 1,385 commutations set a record, totaling more than the previous 11 presidents combined.
Trump has used pardon power in 'unprecedented, corrupt ways': Ex-pardon atty.
Did Clinton pardon his brother?
Roger Clinton, the president's brother, was pardoned for drug charges after having served the entire sentence more than a decade earlier. Roger Clinton would be charged with drunk driving and disorderly conduct in an unrelated incident within a year of the pardon.
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.
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.
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.
Who pardoned more people as president?
As of May 2026, Joe Biden holds the record for the highest number of total clemency actions (pardons and commutations), with over 8,000 granted during his term (2021–2025), including large-scale marijuana possession pardons. Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for the most formal pardons (excluding commutations) with 2,819 to 3,796 depending on the source.
Has anyone denied 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.
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 was the whistleblower pardoned by Obama?
She was imprisoned from 2010 until 2017, when President Barack Obama commuted her sentence. A trans woman, Manning said in 2013 that she had had a female gender identity since childhood and wanted to be known as Chelsea Manning. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Did Bill Clinton pardon anyone?
As president, Clinton used his power under the U.S. Constitution to grant pardons and clemency to 456 people, thus commuting the sentences of those already convicted of a crime, and obviating a trial for those not yet convicted. On January 20, 2001, he pardoned 140 people in the final hours of his presidency.