NPR

Trump Sees Pardon As Power, Perk — Considers One For Muhammad Ali

For President Trump, the pardon seems to have become the ultimate symbol of presidential power. He says he's considering one for the late boxer, though Ali's attorney says it's not necessary.
In this file photo, Muhammad Ali is honored on March 14, 2001, receiving the UCP's Humanitarian Award from Donald Trump at the United Cerebral Palsy dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Certain rituals have grown up around the use of the presidential pardon.

The most common is a lengthy review by the Justice Department on the merits of any such petition for a pardon.

But for President Trump, the pardon seems to have become the ultimate symbol of presidential power — the ability to use this exclusive authority as an act of benevolent largess and as the ultimate political perk.

In recent decades the has been used to varying degrees, but one thing fairly consistent is that pardons

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readInternational Relations
Biden Says He Would Halt Additional Weapons Shipments If Israel Invades Rafah
The president's comments to CNN follow news that one shipment of bombs is already on hold out of concern about the impact on civilian lives.
NPR1 min readAmerican Government
Biden Is Tweaking An Asylum Rule To Speed Up Deportation For Some Migrants
President Biden had said he wanted the power to effectively "shut down the border" when migration numbers surge. But this rule is an incremental shift.
NPR3 min readWorld
The Eurovision Song Contest Kicked Off With Pop And Protests
Performers representing countries across Europe and beyond took the stage in the first of two Eurovision semifinals in the Swedish city of Malmo, against a backdrop of both parties and protests.

Related Books & Audiobooks