[NonValueAdded]

Article II Section 2 places only one caveat on the "power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States" that being the terminating clause "except in Cases of Impeachment." There is no "Advice and Consent of the Senate" restriction as there is in the Treaty clause immediately following the Pardon clause.

This is the one piece of the monarchy retained by the Founding Fathers and IMHO is the essential escape clause for a system run amok or faced with a unique set of circumstances where mercy, leniency, or clemency is warranted but not provided for by law. It can be and has been abused, most notably by Clinton (although The One is sure to eclipse that stain), and may need rethinking.

[MWestMom]

Thank you!