ipl-logo

Pardons Should Be An Abuse Of Power Essay

790 Words4 Pages

In the US Constitution, Article II, Section 2 states that “the President ... shall have the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States , except in cases of impeachment” (Keesee 93). This allows presidents to delay one’s sentence, completely eliminate any punishment, or just get rid of some of the punishment . But should the president have the power to do that? How the presidents pardon and why they do it does not fit the founders ’ framework for separation of powers because it usually just benefits or acts on the current administration , it puts too much power into one man’s hands, and they are an abuse of power of the president .
On average, pardons can take anywhere from 6 to 24 months, depending on the case . To …show more content…

This allows each branch to amend or veto acts of other branches .
“ Pardons have become an unnecessary political weapon of the uniquely powerful to reward their friends or barter for political chits . ” (Cupps) The president only pardons people for a few reasons . The first being that pardoning a criminal will allow the president to move forward in his career . The second being that it enables the president to pardon people he likes no matterMcGahan 3 the crime that was committed .
The president being able to pardon is considered an abuse of power . The president has the ability to pardon anyone he would like and that act cannot be overturned by anyone not even by the Senate or the House of Representatives . Norman Eisen said, “When it’s the right thing to do, when it’s the ethical thing to do , when it’s the moral thing to do, the qualities of mercy in the pardon power should be extended . But they can never be extended if it’s the corrupt thing to do”
(Eisen). Nowadays, the presidents are taking the definition of pardoning and twisting it so it fits their own agenda, whether it be good or bad .
Recently, President Donald Trump had pardoned a man named Joe Arpaio . Arpaio,

Show More
Related

Seperation Of Powers Dbq Essay

445 Words | 2 Pages

This keeps the legislative and judicial branches of government under checks because it allows the president to stop anything unjust from happening; they can also choose who not to nominate as a judge if that nominee doesn't fit the executive branch's

Read More

Anti Federalist Paper No. 67 Analysis

886 Words | 4 Pages

Clinton then states, “when an office has a lot of power, then the term of that office should be short to balance out that power, and that a term longer time than a year would be dangerous.” This illustrates the president's term and powers as if on a scale. With so much power the president's term should be no longer than a year to balance out that scale. Ultimately, it is important to limit the powers of the executive branch so it does not become a form of monarchy. Not only will the president's long term take away the people's power and establish complete tyranny over our country, but without a bill of rights they will not be protected from abuses of the federal

Read More

Checks And Balances Vs Federalist 51

529 Words | 3 Pages

In the hundreds of years since the US was founded, the role of the President has changed dramatically. From the very beginning of the country to the complexities of the modern era, unexpected changes, including those that could not be predicted by the creators of our constitution, have happened. While the founders fancied a powerful executive, they also imagined that the presidency would work within the constraints set forth in the Constitution and with cooperation with the other branches of the government. This is very clear in the US Constitution as well as Federalist 51, which are the foundations of this country. To begin with, the power of executive orders has expanded the oversight of the role of the President.

Read More

Why Did The Articles Of Confederation Intentionally Have A Weak Executive Branch

720 Words | 3 Pages

The Twenty Second Amendment stated that a president can not serve more than two terms or more than ten years if he came to office via the death or impeachment of his predecessor What was stated in the famed US vs. Nixon case? The Supreme Court ruled that there was no overriding executive privilege that sanctioned

Read More

Nixon's Argumentative Analysis

226 Words | 1 Pages

“When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.” These words were uttered by former President Richard Nixon in an interview shortly after his impeachment. Regardless of the sociopolitical implications of such a statement, Nixon stated an important historical fact: that those in authority usually believe they are above the law. Throughout different periods of human history, leaders have often acted outside of their own laws for personal benefit. Whether one examines the Macedonian kingdom, the Roman Empire, or the various Islamic Caliphates, he will always find at least one leader who transgressed the laws of his nation in order to obtain a personal reward.

Read More

Federalist 51 Checks And Balances

443 Words | 2 Pages

By providing a legal process for removing a president who acts unlawfully or contrary to the nation's interests, impeachment reinforces the boundaries established on executive authority by the Constitution. It serves as a constitutional safeguard against potential abuses, ensuring that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law. The threat of impeachment acts as a deterrent, reminding presidents of their responsibility to uphold the Constitution and faithfully execute the laws. While critics may argue that the impeachment process is too stringent due to the requirement of a two-thirds majority in the Senate for removal, this high threshold serves a crucial purpose. It prevents impeachment from being used as a partisan tool or a means of political retaliation.

Read More

Us Vs Nixon Essay

485 Words | 2 Pages

I agree with the Supreme Court on placing emphasizes on keeping the presidential power in check but respecting the doctrine of separation of powers. The Court has the power to hear cases that involve federal questions because the

Read More

Abraham Lincoln's Suspension Of Habeas Corpus

559 Words | 3 Pages

Article 1 section 9 of the Constitution states that the privilege of the Habeas Corpus cannot be suspended unless in cases of rebellion invasion in which naturally the public safety is threatened. On the other hand, the article 1 of the Constitution deals with the legislative branch, which may suggest that it is the Congress who gets to decide to suspend the writ. Lincoln agreed to some extent that it is the Congress who was vested with this particular power but he maintain that the Constitution does not specify which branch legislative or executive is to exercise that power. He continues by arguing that it is hardly believable that the framers would live such an emergency power to the Congress who would need time to organize an assembly while it might be too late. Lincoln argued that the executive branch is more equipped to exercise that power due to the fact that the decision can be made much

Read More

Essay On Abraham Lincoln's Abuse Of Presidential Power

919 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout history , presidents have taken different steps in abusing the executive orders and other presidential directives. Many citizens expressed different views over the executive abuse and benefits the presidents have. The increased use of executive legislation in the absence of challenges from Congress has expanded the power, boundaries, and pose a serious threat to the democracy.

Read More

Should Executive Privilege Be Absolute

546 Words | 3 Pages

Should the Executive Privilege Be Absolute In United States, the Executive Privilege played a positive role on the president in domestic and foreign policy decisions, defend national interests and the protection of national defense secrets. However, this privilege can be abused by the president and executive members as well in seizing power, even provide legal basis to disguise their illicit activities at the White House. In my point of view, I think the executive privilege should not be absolute due to lack of transparency and supervision on the matter of personal interest and national security. As the strongest nation across the global, the president and members of the executive of the United States has the power to conduct a number of operations or information in secret and the executive privilege grants them to resist some legislative and branches of government for disclosing those communications if would potentially interfere the functions of executive branch (Legal Information Institute).

Read More

Constitutional Convention: Should The US Even Have A President?

523 Words | 3 Pages

The use of these powers determine if the president is going beyond the limits of the office. Many argue that the president has abused these powers with the use of the Unitary Executive Theory, which states that the Constitution puts the president in charge of executing the laws, and that nobody can limit the president’s power when it comes to executive powers. It therefore tips authority from Congress to the presidency, upsetting the power of checks and balances.

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Formal And Informal Powers Of Texas Government

911 Words | 4 Pages

If I wish to recommend a pardon for an inmate on “death row”, I can give a thirty-day “stay of

Read More

Examples Of Improving The Articles Of Confederation

1576 Words | 7 Pages

Determining the specificities of what the framers originally intended, however, is the subject to some debate. Saikrishna Prakash, a distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia, analyses the question of original meaning of executive power in his essay “The Essential Meaning of Executive Power”. He argues that not only is the president chief legislator, chief military officer, and the nation's top diplomat, he is “first and foremost...the chief executive empowered by the executive power to execute Congress’s laws and to control the law execution of executive officers”(Prakash, 820). He also acknowledges Justice Scalia’s assessment “that a complete understanding of the executive power might take 7,000 pages and thirty years to complete”(Prakash, 820). Suggesting that we have to be cautious in trying to analyze the presidency from a pure originalist point of view, and that we have to adapt to the ambiguities that result from the evolution of presidential power.

Read More

The President Has Too Much Power Essay

878 Words | 4 Pages

In recent years there has been debate on whether or not the president has too much power. The president 's power has increased over the years, I believe that this increase has given the president way too much power. The amount of power that the president has, can cause total destruction and can manipulate people into doing things that they do not actually believe in. A president should not have some of the powers that he possess, but they are given to him simply because he is the leader of the country. In my opinion the president should be allowed certain powers in order to run the country properly, he is also the leader of the country which grants him the right to have certain powers according to the constitution.

Read More

Cover Letter For President Essay

747 Words | 3 Pages

ALT Selection Committee. LETTER OF INTENT I write to apply for the African Leaders of Tomorrow (ALT) Scholarship to increase my knowledge of public policy with a focus on health policy. My background in health plus a strong desire for civic advancement makes me a good candidate for the program.

Read More

More about Pardons Should Be An Abuse Of Power Essay

Related Topics

Open Document