Title: Five myths about presidential pardons - The Washington Post
Headings: Five myths about presidential pardons
Five myths about presidential pardons
You must be charged and convicted before you can be pardoned.
Nixon resigned only after Ford promised to pardon him.
President Obama pardoned Chelsea Manning and Oscar López Rivera.
Pardons are only for guilty people; accepting one is an admission of guilt.
The law on self-pardons is clear.
Twitter: @ProfBrianKalt

Content: Five myths about presidential pardons - The Washington Post
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The Washington Post
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Five myths about presidential pardons
President Trump pardoned Joe Arpaio before the former Maricopa County sheriff’s sentencing. ( Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
By
Brian C. Kalt
Brian C. Kalt, a law professor and the Harold Norris faculty scholar at Michigan State University, is the author of “Constitutional Cliffhangers: A Legal Guide for Presidents and Their Enemies.” June 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. UTC
President Trump is in a pardon frenzy. Last month, he dispensed absolution for boxer Jack Johnson and pundit Dinesh D’Souza, and this past week, he declared that he can even pardon himself. A White House official told The Washington Post that Trump is now “obsessed” with pardons, his new “favorite thing.” The pardon power is the most kinglike power our presidents have; they can apply it whenever and to whomever they like. Still, many misconceptions surround this constitutional perquisite. Support our journalism.