Jeffrey Toobin's book, The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, examines the constitutional power of presidential pardons, highlighting their royal-like authority. He reflects on recent pardons by Joe Biden for his son Hunter and previous mass pardons by Donald Trump for January 6 defendants. The book primarily focuses on the historical context and political implications of significant pardons, notably Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon after Watergate. Toobin brings his extensive background as a legal analyst and former prosecutor, providing a thorough exploration of this executive power.
No other provision of the constitution replicates royal authority with such precision.
The Pardon is well researched and highly readable, a master class on a power wielded by presidents for more than 200 years.
Most of the book, however, concerns events from a half-century ago: the pardon of Richard Nixon by Gerald Ford.
For now, the Trump justice department seems distracted, waging war against itself.
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