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Opinion
Cass R. Sunstein

Not Convicted or Indicted? Trump Can Pardon You Anyway

The Supreme Court authorized preemptive presidential pardons in the 19th century. But there’s an important caveat.

Conviction? No. Pardon? Yes.

Conviction? No. Pardon? Yes.

Source: Newsmakers/National Archives

It’s been widely reported that President Donald Trump is considering granting a batch of pardons, possibly on his last day in office. Some of the people named as likely beneficiaries have not been convicted or even indicted for any crime.

That raises a question: Does the president have the power to issue a preemptive pardon, one that would protect someone from prosecution in the future? Really?