Is there a limit to a sitting U.S. President's authority to pardon people? Can he pardon ANYONE?

Question

Can the sitting U.S. President pardon anyone he wants?

I mean, theoretically, can he pardon any criminal? What about a mass murder? Or someone convicted of treason?

Of course, these things would never, ever happen. But in theory, can the President pardon anyone he wants at anytime?

Answer 1

Yes, the President has the power to pardon anyone, anytime, for any reason. Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon, and Nixon had not yet been charged with anything, let alone be convicted.

Answer 2

Fortunately, the President cannot pardon "anyone." First, the pardon power is only applicable to violation of Federal law. If a person is charged with violation of state law, that power rests in the governor of that state to pardon. Moreover, the only time a President cannot Pardon a person for violating a federal law is when that person has been impeached for the offense. This is true whether the Senate convicts or not.

Bill Clinton, for instance, can never be pardoned for his crimes of perjury for which he was impeached.

So, to answer your question, yes a president could pardon a mass murderer. However, that is only true if that mass murderer was convicted under a federal statute, which is very unlikely.

Answer 3

Clinton pardoned a convicted cop killer that was being held in California before he left office!

I think the only thing that a President can not pardon for are crimes against the State, ie, Treason.

Answer 4

Apparently,

Clinton pardoned Mark Rich, who fled the country before he could be prosecuted.