Corey Brettschneider, a professor of political science at Brown University and visiting professor of law at Fordham Law School, argues in an editorial for Politicothat the Constitution might prohibit Trump from issuing this particular pardon, despite the fact that the president’s clemency powers are generally seen as very broad.
“Many scholars agree that once a president has been impeached, he or she loses the power to pardon anyone for criminal offenses connected to the articles of impeachment,” he writes. “Less noticed is that even after the Senate’s failure to convict the president, he or she does not regain this power.” Continue reading.