The U.S. Constitution gives presidents the power to grant pardons and commutations for federal crimes. This unique, unchecked power was meant to be used sparingly, as a last resort to correct injustices in the system. Pardons shouldn’t be gifts for friends, donors, and relatives who happen to be lawbreakers. It’s intended to right wrongs, not cause new ones.

Not all presidents have misused the pardon power, but some have. How you see it often depends upon your politics. To paraphrase an old saw: One man’s shady pardon is another man’s pursuit of justice.

During Thanksgiving, presidents usually grant pardons to turkeys – for laughs, of course. But when the turkeys are well-connected criminals, it’s not so funny.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/corrupting-presidential-pardon-power