Who do you feel President Obama will pardon?

LCpl Todd Houston — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:07:13 -0500

Should pardons even be allowed to be granted? The fact is governors and the president are not involved in individual court cases, so they lack all knowledge they need to effectively pardon someone anyhow. The arguement that they should be decided by the SCOTUS and not the executive branch could also be made. So, my answer is Bradley Manning.

Response by Austin Hocutt made Jan 11 at 2017 8:09 AM

Austin Hocutt — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:09:17 -0500

This question is rather hard to answer but then again it's not really.

He shouldn't have the ability to pardon, since that is impeding on another branch's job in our government when he has supposed to be no say so in who gets a free pass from a fair trial.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 8:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:18:31 -0500

I do not see Manning or Snoden getting a pardon especially since it was his policies which ensured they are where they are

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 11 at 2017 8:20 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:20:35 -0500

No, he is not totally above the law, those pardoned should have just let the system take its course of action.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Jan 11 at 2017 8:21 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:21:27 -0500

My second great grandfather got a pardon in 1915 --- he confessed to shooting his daughter in law in the back with a shotgun for sleeping with his other son -- She had evidently "corrupted" the first and then went after the second... Did he deserve a pardon? Doesn't matter, he got one.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jan 11 at 2017 8:45 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:45:30 -0500

Since the ability to reprieve or pardon is explicitly granted to the President by the Constitution, the question's moot.

I'd expect more commutations (get out of jail early) rather than pardons.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 11 at 2017 9:40 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:40:39 -0500

This is one where I'd like to see an amendment to the constitution. I think each pardon should require the advice and consent of the Senate by at least a super majority if not 2/3 vote.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 9:59 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:59:44 -0500

Has Manning and the lawyer team even officially applied for a Pardon? If not, then the President has already stated that he won't look at their case unless they do officially apply for one.

Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Jan 11 at 2017 10:21 AM

SSgt Ray Stone — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:21:57 -0500

Assata Shakur

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jan 11 at 2017 10:51 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:51:01 -0500

I hate to say it but as President, he should pardon or commute the sentences of anyone he wants to. However, as US citizens with a right to free speech, we have a right to make fun of his choices.

FYI: The history of Presidential pardons is a fascinating subject. Its amazing what you can learn about a President and his beliefs from his Pardons and Commutations. Washington pardoned the planners of the "Whiskey Rebellion. Lincoln pardoned the participants in the Great Sioux Uprising. Kennedy pardoned all first time convictions under the Narcotics Control Act. Nixon pardoned Jimmy Hoffa. Reagan pardoned George Steinbrenner (of the New York Yankees). Bill Clinton pardoned both his brother Roger and his former business partner Susan McDougal.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 11:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:13:33 -0500

He should make pardon decisions as all presidents and governors do, according to his own beliefs and values.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 11 at 2017 11:30 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:30:58 -0500

I'll tell you what I think, not who... President Obama's legacy may be irrevocably tied to the pardons he grants. Remember Governor Dukakis who pardoned a murderer who took advantage of his freedom to murder again? It destroyed his political career. Obama obviously has political ambitions, maybe to rise again as Nixon did as an "elder statesman". I cannot imagine anyone I would want our future leaders consulting about anything. However, they may not be a problem when Obama's parolees use their freedom to reap terror and crime upon us...

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 11 at 2017 11:51 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:51:56 -0500

I am not willing to voice my guess, Beer summit anyone?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 12:04 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:04:05 -0500

Lenard Peltier

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 12:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:05:23 -0500

The population of GITMO?

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jan 11 at 2017 12:18 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:18:22 -0500

My bigger concern is that he will recognize Palestine.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 11 at 2017 12:55 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:55:22 -0500

Whoever he pardons it won't be more egregious or disgusting than some of those pardoned by Bill Clinton in the final hours of his debauchery as POTUS. A lot of people were sickened by his actions at the time, and have not yet completely gotten over it.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 11 at 2017 7:12 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 19:12:49 -0500

Because he knows that if clinton goes down he isnt far behind, as it is he needs to find a new home and will have a bullseye on him where ever he goes in this country.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 13 at 2017 11:47 AM

PO3 John Wagner — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:47:38 -0500

Himself would be my first guess

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 20 at 2017 6:28 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 18:28:19 -0500

If you don't like presidential pardons, the answer is simple.

Amend the Constitution.

The president gets his authority to pardon from Art. II, Sec. 2, Cl. 1. It is an absolute power, unchecked by the legislative or judicial branches. "A pardon is an act of grace, proceeding from the power entrusted with the execution of the laws, which exempts the individual, on whom it is bestowed from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime he has committed." CJ Marshall, United States v. Wilson, 32 U.S. (7 Pet.) 150 (1833).