Lawmakers Grow Concerned About Presidential Pardons

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) recently called for significant reform in the presidential pardon process, arguing that it is in desperate need of improvement. In an interview on CBS News’s Face the Nation, Klobuchar voiced concerns about the 1,500 commutations President Joe Biden issued in one day — a record for any president — suggesting that some of these decisions were problematic and lacked proper scrutiny.

Klobuchar, while acknowledging that the presidential pardon power is enshrined in the Constitution, made it clear that she was not advocating for eliminating it. However, she emphasized that the process could be better structured to prevent what she described as “middle of the night” pardons and commutations. “Governors have boards that review cases before granting clemency,” Klobuchar pointed out, arguing that a similar system should be applied at the federal level.

The senator admitted that while some of Biden’s pardons were undoubtedly justified, there were many others that appeared to lack merit. She criticized the broad approach taken by the White House, which commuted sentences for entire groups of individuals rather than addressing each case individually. Klobuchar suggested that a more careful, case-by-case review would be preferable, and that a dedicated board could ensure that the process is more transparent and just.

From a Republican perspective, Klobuchar’s proposal highlights a growing concern over unchecked executive power, especially when it comes to decisions that affect public safety and the integrity of the justice system. The idea of a standardized, board-led review process aligns with the conservative principle that government decisions should be transparent, accountable, and based on sound reasoning rather than political expediency. Ensuring that pardons and commutations are granted based on clear evidence, rather than in large groups, would restore public trust in the fairness of the justice system and prevent political favoritism from overriding the needs of law-abiding citizens.

In the eyes of many Republicans, reforming the pardon process is essential to maintaining the rule of law and preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system. By calling for a more structured and transparent process, Klobuchar may have opened the door to bipartisan support for change, provided it ensures fairness, accountability, and justice.