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 read
More Than 500 People Have Been Arrested At Pro-Palestinian Protests At Colleges
Students and others are protesting Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza and, in some cases, their school's investments in Israel. Presidents at several schools face calls to resign amid the protests.
NPR5 min read
Iran Women's Protests Are The Focus Of 'Persepolis' Author Marjane Satrapi's New Book
The French Iranian author and artist, best known for her graphic novel Persepolis, edited and contributed to a new graphic anthology titled Woman, Life, Freedom, inspired by Iran's recent protests.
NPR5 min readWorld
Blinken Tells China It's In Their Interest To Stop Helping Russia
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken following his talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and top Chinese officials in Beijing.

Related Books & Audiobooks