The Price of Freedom: Pardon Power and Politics

The pardon power of the president has always been a part of the U. S. system. But, it has recently turned into a lucrative business for lobbyists and consultants. These individuals are close to the current administration and are willing to help wealthy individuals get pardons. The price tag for this help can be extremely high, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. The pardon process is not straightforward. It involves a lot of money and connections. Some people are willing to pay large sums to get their cases in front of the president. This has led to a surge in the pardon economy, with lobbyists and consultants charging high fees for their services. It is a big business, and it is growing. The pardon power is a serious tool. It can be used to correct injustices or to reward allies. However, it can also be used to create a two-tiered justice system. This is where wealth can buy freedom. This is a concern for many people who are familiar with the process. They worry that it can erode confidence in the clemency process. The current president has been using the pardon power more frequently than his predecessors. He has pardoned or granted executive clemency to over 1, 500 people. Many of these individuals have been related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U. S. Capitol. This is a significant increase from his first term in office. Even without the January 6 defendants, the president has pardoned 58 people. In his previous administration, he had pardoned just one person in his first year. There is a process for vetting pardon applications. It goes through the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney. However, presidents do not always follow it. Some of the pardons that are being granted would not be able to make it through the typical process. This is because they involve people who are currently incarcerated. Unless the Justice Department grants a waiver, the regulations say that petitioners need to wait until five years after either the conviction or the end of their sentence. They also place a premium on acceptance of responsibility. The pardon process is not just about money. It is also about connections. Some lobbyists and consultants are not eager to take on pardon work. They are concerned about the potential blowback when the political winds change. Others turn down pardon work because it feels "sketchy. " They do not want to be associated with a process that can be seen as unfair. The pardon power is a complex issue. It involves money, connections, and politics. It is a tool that can be used for good or for ill. It is important to understand how it works and who benefits from it. It is also important to think critically about the pardon process and its implications for the justice system.