Can a President Pardon Themselves?

The U.S. Constitution grants the President the power to pardon individuals for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment. This means that while a President can pardon individuals for most federal offenses, they cannot pardon themselves or others for offenses related to impeachment. Impeachment is a political process by which a President, Vice President, or other federal officials can be removed from office for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors as stated in the Constitution. However, it is important to note that the scope and limitations of the President's pardon power have been a subject of debate and legal interpretation over time.

Legal Constraints on the President’s Pardon Power

I do not believe that a president can ever pardon themselves for anything. If that was true, the President would be above the law. He could kill the Speaker of the House and then pardon himself for it. The Founders did not want anything like that. No president can pardon themselves. Period. Thus, all charges are charges a president cannot pardon themselves for.

The Supreme Court and the Pardon Power

The question of whether a President can pardon themselves has never been put before the Supreme Court. A ruling in favor of a President's ability to pardon themselves would fly in the face of common law. It would put the defendant in a case in the role of one having ultimate authority over their own case, abrogating the power of the judiciary and making the President completely immune. It would destroy the checks and balances on Presidential power, putting a President above the judiciary, Congress, and the people a President is supposed to be serving.

Consequences of Presidential Autonomy

I highly doubt a President can pardon themselves of any crimes. If a President can overrule the law, they are above the law, which means there is no rule of law and no real democracy. Democracy needs a balance of power precisely to prevent someone like a president from abusing power. Real power is vested in the states, not the President, the republic, or the constitution. Sadly, I think most modern federations are forgetting that, and a president pardoning themselves is a red flag of that lapse in memory.

No one should be above the law, not a priest, not a prophet, not a judge, not a king, not a senator, not a prime minister, not even God Himself is above the law. That is how we know Him—He is strong enough to obey the law. The Devil, on the other hand, is too weak to not break the law.