Presidential Pardons and Clemencies

Article II, Section 2 authorizes the President “to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”

President Clinton granted pardons and commutations to 456 individuals. Correspondence, tables, and forms from the Clinton Library document the Department of Justice’s recommendations to President Clinton on whether to grant or deny executive clemency.

Image and Video: In February of 1999, President Clinton gave remarks on his posthumous pardon of General Henry O. Flipper. The pardon was 118 years after Flipper’s court martial.

Executive Grant of Clemency for Henry Ossian Flipper

In February of 1999, President Clinton gave remarks on his posthumous pardon of General Henry O. Flipper. The pardon was 118 years after Flipper’s court martial.

Learn More:

2006-0222-F : Pardon Requests (September 2000 - January 2001)

2006-0371-F : Pardon of Cheryl Ada Elizabeth Little

2006-1704-F : Pardon and Clemency Requests

2008-1268-F : Pardon of Patricia ‘Patty’ Hearst Shaw

2009-0736-F : Pardon of Edward Downe, Jr.

2010-0248-F : Clemency of Bob F. Griffin

2010-0452-F : Pardon of Kemba Smith

Finding Aid for 2010-0452-F in the Clinton Digital Library

2010-0791-F : Pardon of Samuel Loring Morison

2012-0020-F : Pardon Memos Written By Jack Quinn of White House Counsel from 1995-1996

2013-1026-F : Pardon of James Lake

Finding Aid for 2013-1026-F in the Clinton Digital Library