Who has the power to pardon?

Who has the power to pardon?

• A. Governor
• B. President
• C. Chief Justice
• D. Vice President

Answer: (B)

The President holds clemency power at the federal level. The Constitution gives the President the authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, with a caveat: this power does not apply to cases of impeachment. This means the President can forgive or lessen penalties for federal crimes after conviction, or delay punishment, and can commute a sentence, but cannot pardon someone in an impeachment proceeding. Governors handle pardons for state offenses, while the Vice President and other officials do not have this authority. So, for federal matters, the one who can pardon is the President.

The President holds clemency power at the federal level. The Constitution gives the President the authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, with a caveat: this power does not apply to cases of impeachment. This means the President can forgive or lessen penalties for federal crimes after conviction, or delay punishment, and can commute a sentence, but cannot pardon someone in an impeachment proceeding. Governors handle pardons for state offenses, while the Vice President and other officials do not have this authority. So, for federal matters, the one who can pardon is the President.