[TheOldLady]

Yes. Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon when Ford assumed the presidency.

[Gaffer]

Yes...I remember...The Democrats howled like a stuck pig.

[matthew fuller]

Thanks, I knew that Gaffer’s response was somehow inapplicable. Ford was the NEXT president. My first question was whether Obama can pardon bergdall before the trial/court martial, if it happens to be not yet completed before the next Pres. assumes office. In other words, a pre-trial pardon.