Who did Bill Clinton pardon?
Asked by: Dr. Virgil Satterfield | Last update: July 8, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (38 votes)
President Bill Clinton granted a total of 456 clemencies during his presidency: 396 pardons and 60 sentence commutations. A massive portion of these, 140 pardons, were issued on his final day in office (January 20, 2001), sparking massive controversy and congressional investigations.
Who has Bill Clinton pardoned?
Bill Clinton granted 459 pardons and commutations during his presidency (1993–2001). While his total was similar to other two-term presidents like Ronald Reagan, he faced significant controversy for granting 140 pardons on his final day in office (January 20, 2001), a period often called "Pardongate".
What was Bill Clinton's brother pardoned for?
In January 2001, before his brother left office, Clinton was granted a controversial presidential pardon for a 1985 cocaine possession and drug-trafficking conviction. Roger Clinton Jr. had served time in federal prison after being convicted following a sting operation of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Who did Obama pardon when he was in office?
President Obama granted a total of 148 pardons and 1,176 commutations during his presidency, focusing heavily on nonviolent, low-level drug offenders to address sentencing disparities, with notable actions near the end of his term, including pardoning James Cartwright and Willie McCovey. His acts of clemency aimed to provide second chances to individuals who showed rehabilitation.
What was Linda Evans pardoned for?
In a second case, she was sentenced in 1990 to five years in prison for conspiracy and malicious destruction in connection with eight bombings including the 1983 United States Senate bombing. Her sentence was commuted in 2001 by Democrat President Bill Clinton because of its extraordinary length.
Bill Clinton's Biggest Scandal: Pardon Day
What illness does Linda Evans have?
Linda Evans, known for her role on Dynasty, does not have a widely reported chronic terminal disease, but has faced significant health challenges, including debilitating chronic pain from back issues, severe migraines, and, in 2014, a life-threatening reaction to medication. She previously suffered from hair loss, which she attributed to stress and surgeries.
Who did Ronald Reagan pardon?
President Ronald Reagan granted 393 pardons during his presidency (1981–1989), with notable recipients including FBI officials W. Mark Felt and Edward S. Miller, NASCAR driver Junior Johnson, and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. As California Governor, he famously pardoned country singer Merle Haggard in 1972.
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.
Which president gave out the most pardons?
Franklin D. Roosevelt leads all U.S. presidents with 2,819 pardons, followed by Harry S. Truman with 1,913 pardons and Dwight D. Eisenhower with 1,110 pardons. These high numbers are partly due to long tenures in office and mass pardons for offenses like violating Prohibition or draft evasion.
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.
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.
What did Jim Biden get pardoned for?
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?
The House adopted two articles of impeachment against Clinton, with the specific charges against Clinton being lying under oath and obstruction of justice. Two other articles had been considered but were rejected by the House vote.
Has any president not pardoned anyone?
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 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.
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.
Why did Obama pardon so many?
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.
How many pardons has Trump given vs Obama?
Barack Obama issued exactly 212 individual pardons and 1,715 sentence commutations during his eight years in office. In contrast, Donald Trump has granted clemency to approximately 1,700 people across both his terms, which includes his first-term pardons/commutations and the ~1,500 mass pardons for January 6 defendants.
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.
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.
Who all did President 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:
How many pardons by Biden vs Trump?
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.
Who was the last president to give amnesty?
President Ronald Reagan was the last president to grant sweeping immigration amnesty, signing the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) into law on November 6, 1986. This legislation provided legal status to nearly 3 million undocumented immigrants who met specific continuous residence and background requirements.
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.