Which president pardoned Mark Rich?
Asked by: Zion Nader | Last update: April 23, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (42 votes)
President Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich on his last day in office, January 20, 2001, for crimes including tax evasion, fraud, and illegal oil deals with Iran, a move that sparked major controversy and criticism, especially due to Rich's ex-wife's political donations to Democrats.
Why did Clinton pardon Marc Rich?
In a February 18, 2001, op-ed essay in The New York Times, Clinton (by then out of office) explained why he had pardoned Rich, noting that U.S. tax professors Bernard Wolfman of the Harvard Law School and Martin Ginsburg of Georgetown University Law Center had concluded that no crime had been committed, and that Rich's ...
How many pardons did Trump give out on his first term?
Number of pardons
Since 1921, only two Presidents granted clemency on fewer occasions than Trump. In Trump's first term, he granted clemency 237 times, compared with about 78 by George H. W. Bush and about 200 by George W. Bush.
Who did President Bill Clinton pardon?
Among those who accepted clemency are:
- Edwin Cortes, sentenced to 35 years in prison.
- Elizam Escobar, sentenced to 60 years in prison.
- Ricardo Jimenez, sentenced to 90 years in prison.
- Adolfo Matos, sentenced to 70 years in prison.
- Dylcia Noemi Pagan, sentenced to 55 years in prison.
Did Trump pardon Rudy Giuliani?
In April 2024, he was indicted on charges related to the 2020 election in Arizona. He was later disbarred in the state of New York in July, and in the District of Columbia in September. In November 2025, Trump pardoned Giuliani.
Marc Thiessen: Why Bill Clinton's Mark Rich pardon matters
Did Trump pardon Charles Kushner?
Yes, Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner (father of Jared Kushner) in December 2020, commuting his sentence for convictions including tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions from 2005. The pardon came in the final days of Trump's presidency and covered charges related to his scheme to intimidate his brother-in-law, who was cooperating with federal investigators.
Are you still a convicted felon if you get a presidential pardon?
When the president grants a pardon, it erases any punishment and guilt of the pardoned person. It also restores the civil rights of the pardoned. However, a pardon does not remove an offense from a person's criminal record. Instead, the offense and pardon will appear on the person's record.
Why did Obama pardon so many?
President Obama pardoned and commuted many sentences, particularly near the end of his term, to address the harsh, outdated sentencing laws, especially for nonviolent drug offenses, aiming for a fairer, smarter criminal justice system, and to provide second chances to rehabilitated individuals, using clemency as a tool while urging Congress for broader reforms. His actions aimed to correct disparities, reduce prison overcrowding, and encourage states to follow suit with reforms.
What president did not pardon anyone?
The two U.S. presidents who never granted a pardon were William Henry Harrison, due to his death just a month into office, and James A. Garfield, who was assassinated early in his term, leaving neither president enough time to issue any.
Who cannot be pardoned by the president?
Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardon for federal offenses, including those obtained in the United States District Courts, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and military courts-martial. The President cannot pardon a state criminal offense.
Where is Marc Rich today?
Oil King Marc Rich Dead At 78
Commodities kingpin and fugitive American ex-pat Marc Rich died today from a stroke at the age of 78 in a hospital in Lucerne, Switzerland. Rich was the founder in 1974 of Marc Rich & Co. AG, a pioneering oil-trading firm.
Who is the king of oil?
The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich. Marc Rich has been described as the world's biggest commodities trader, the inventor of the spot oil market, a traitor, and the savior of Israel and Jamaica.
Which mayor cleaned up New York City?
Rudy Giuliani (Mayor 1994-2001) is widely credited with "cleaning up" New York City by implementing "broken windows" policing, aggressively targeting minor offenses, and reducing serious crime, which transformed the city's image, though some redevelopment efforts, like for Times Square, began under his predecessor Ed Koch. His administration cut taxes, reduced welfare rolls, and tackled organized crime, making the city safer and more attractive for residents and tourists.
How many pardons can a US president do?
In Ex parte Garland (1867), the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed the "unlimited" nature of federal pardons (except for impeachment cases) and broadened its scope to include offenses for which legal proceedings have not been initiated.
Why did Trump pardon Desiree Perez?
Donald Trump pardoned Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez in January 2021, citing her decades of rehabilitation, successful career at Roc Nation, and advocacy for criminal justice reform, noting she had fully accounted for her past drug conspiracy conviction and turned her life around. The White House statement emphasized her transformation from her 1994 conviction for drug distribution, highlighting her subsequent employment, leadership, and commitment to positive change.
Do pardons affect gun rights?
In general, there are two basic options to have your gun rights restored after a conviction. They include having your felony case reduced to a misdemeanor and receiving a pardon from the Governor of California.
What did Biden actually accomplish during his presidency?
Other domestic legislation signed during his term included the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first major federal gun control law in nearly three decades; the CHIPS and Science Act, bolstering the semiconductor and manufacturing industry; the Honoring our PACT Act, expanding health care for US veterans; the ...
Can a President pardon themselves?
O.L.C. Supp. 370, 370 (1974) (opining during the Nixon Administration that a President may not pardon himself based on the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case ).
What country singer was pardoned?
Jelly Roll was convicted of robbery and drug charges in 2003. Jelly Roll has been granted a pardon from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for previous convictions for robbery and drug-related crimes that date back to 2003. The country singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, received the official pardon on Thursday.