Remembering Ford, Should The President Has the Right to Pardon?

Question

or should we take off this right at all, or should we give it to representative of the people?

Thanks for everybody answering and will answer this question. but as a note for some: I did not ask legal question, I know the US constitution very well. moreover yes I m not from US. but I m very curious about US history and politics.

No, I did not think of Ford as only he pardons, nor I think wrong or right. I m merely asking your opinions about that right. and many gave their opinion accordingly. thanks

Answer 1

The United States Constitution, Section 2; Clause 1:

"The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

Because of the "Asker's" sentence syntax, I will assume that s/he is not native to the U.S.

I would like to share several thoughts:

1. Despite personal opinions swirling within the current political environment, the fact remains that the President of the United States is a representative of the people of the United States, and is given certain powers by the Constitution to act on behalf of the people.

2. For someone unfamiliar with the legacy of President Ford, it is a shame that the only thing they know of President Ford is pardon his of President Nixon.

2. It is a shame that the press (sometimes) oversimplifies, and thus distorts how the public (many of whom were not alive or who were too young to remember) views that person's career.

Answer 2

I grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. President Ford represented me in congress from 1948 until he became VP. Being from a very strong Democratic family I voted against him the first chance I had in 1968 and thereafter. I despised Tricky Dick and when Ford pardoned him I was furious, but as they say, "Hindsight is 20/20." Clearly he did the right thing. The country was torn apart and to put Nixon on trial would only have kept things in turmoil while other important business would have been ignored. Is the privilege sometimes abused? Without question. But for the most part I believe it is exercised with caution and restraint. I am concerned about the excesses of the Presidency, especially under the current President. But should all future Presidents be denied a power because one abused it? I think it would be wise to remember, whichever party you might favor, that eventually your side will be in control. If you take it away from the other guy, you can't give it back when your man takes office.

Let me add, I admire President Ford for being the statesman he became in his retirement. It is truly sad that leaders in both parties, but most blatantly in his own GOP, have lacked the ability to work with those they oppose. Someone said he was as mean as Tom DeLay, I'm sorry, that just isn't even close to who he was. Chris Wallace of Hardball commented tonight that he was highly respected as Minority Leader because of his willingness to work across the aisle. At the time Chris was an assistant to Speaker Tip O'Neal. He said that the two were truly best friends, not just hand shakers at photo ops. And after leaving office Ford developed the same kind of friendship w/ President Carter, the very man who defeated him when he sought to be elected President. That's class in my book, even if I never did agree with him on political issues.

Answer 3

It's an executive right to issue pardons. When Ford pardoned Nixon, he did the exact right thing. History has shown Nixon's deeds; a trial would have done nothing to benefit anyone except the folks who wanted to rub Nixon's nose in it. It was time to move on. We all saw the circus the Clinton impeachment caused and hopefully we learned not to do this again. (Fellow Democrats, take note.)

On a similar note, when Nixon nominated Ford after the Agnew fiasco, I thought, "Oh no , not this jerk!" Ford had been the attack dog of the GOP in the House, as nasty as Barr or DeLay, just a political hack. But when he became first vice president, then president, he grew into a statesman and surprised me and many others.

Gerald Ford was a very good man. RIP, Mr. President.

Answer 4

Okay, honestly. Presidents either pardon people at the beginning or the end of their terms. It makes them appear as a forgiving person. Remeber Clinton's pardons? Governors pardon people for the same reason presidents do. They get re-elected that way because it makes them look like heroes. Did you know the Senate has to approve the pardons?

Answer 5

Say, what would you rather have? A man whose integrity still runs unchallenged (despite the fact he was bitterly mocked at the time he came to become the 38th President), or a decision made by representatives whose votes always are the result of a trade-off? I think there will again come a time when the President will be a person of stature. Jerry Ford was one of these.

Answer 6

It is a Constitutional right that has existed for many years. It is often done at the end of a 4 year term, but can be exercised at any time that a person is in the presidency.

Answer 7

The president is the number one executive of the country and accordingly he has the right to pardon those that he/she sees fit.
I hope that the so-called president of Iraq does not have this right or Saddam will surely go free.

Answer 8

The president should have the ultimate decisions in what is the best course of action for our nation to take.

I realize this view is becoming unpopular, particularly as our youth come of age and think they are more qualified to judge the actions of our leaders...

But still.

Answer 9

Coz he is the big man of the Land. Only God pardons for sins

Answer 10

It is an act of forgiveness and should be left up to the president