2007-12-08 11:00:27 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes, he/she could. At least with respect to federal law.
But Laura is right (and rickinnocal is wrong), Congress could impeach the President for this act. Impeachment is political, not criminal.
I imagine that one of the charges of Impeachment would be "Failure to uphold and enforce the laws of the United States." One of the President's constitutional duties is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Article II, Section 3, US Constitution. And pardoning of all convicted of a particular crime could be construed as a breach of that duty.
2007-12-09 16:16:30 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes he could, assuming of course it's a Federal law.
It would of course be much easier for him to simply veto the law in the first place, but there's no "legal" reason that he couldn't pardon everyone convicted under a crime he didn't like.
To Laura - it doesn't matter whether Congress likes it or not, they couldn't impeach him for it because it's legal. Impeachment requires actual criminal conduct.
Richard
2007-12-08 11:15:11 · answer #2 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The president can pardon people who commit federal crimes but not state crimes. There is no limit on how many people he can pardon.
2007-12-08 11:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by Manuel B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Interesting question.
2007-12-08 11:04:20 · answer #4 · answered by Citizen1984 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes he could
2007-12-08 11:04:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but if congress didn't like it they could always try to impeach...
2007-12-08 11:09:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋