# What are the worst Presidential(US) pardons in history? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 29, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987 "2017-08-29T01:32:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/1 "2017-08-29T01:32:56Z")
I think elections is our political forum. If this is wrong for a non-election thread, please move. Anyway, the recent pardon of Joe Arpaio is certainly a controversial pardon. What are the other really big ones that people debate the validity of? Marc Rich? Nixon? Are there any _really_ bad ones? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/2 "2017-08-29T01:55:29Z")
Nixon ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/3 "2017-08-29T02:10:11Z")
The whole idea of a presidential pardon is corrupt and unconscionable. ---
**Author:** ![Reddy\_Mercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/4 "2017-08-29T02:26:22Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Nixon It was a necessary evil. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/5 "2017-08-29T03:05:00Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > The whole idea of a presidential pardon is corrupt and unconscionable. Huh, perhaps I should have asked which ones were good ones? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/6 "2017-08-29T13:12:32Z")
The Marc Rich pardon infuriated me more than any other, even Arpaio. Rich truly got away with his crimes, and lived out his life in luxury. Arpaio is just a convicted criminal scumbag who got a pardon from another criminal scumbag. ---
**Author:** ![LordDragon65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ac91a4/32.png) [@LordDragon65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordDragon65)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/7 "2017-08-29T13:37:49Z")
Arpaio is right up there with Marc Rich, Scooter Libby, Lt. Calley and the FALN guys. Nixon is kinda different. The Nixon pardon saved a massively partisan trial and was tantamount to an admission of guilt. It allowed us to move on. Just one man’s opinion, YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/8 "2017-08-29T13:55:52Z")
Hayes’ pardon of Heywood is still controversial. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/9 "2017-08-29T15:35:38Z")
I have to go with Arpaio. At least Nixon’s was well thought out by Ford and he weighed the pros and cons and I happened to agree at the time that perhaps we didn’t need to go through a trial of an ex-president. Arpaio was pardoned because he is a racist and because that makes the racist base of the Republican Party happy. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/10 "2017-08-29T16:24:51Z")
I had to laugh when I saw this title on CNN’s front page: [Trump embraces law and order after [del]pardoning sheriff[/del] perverting it](http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/29/politics/trump-law-order-jeff-sessions/index.html) Fixed it for ya, CNN. And I’m now instituting, in the tradition of the Friday News Dump, the Tuesday Bullshit Dump: [Trump Eyed ‘Far Higher’ Ratings in Pardoning Joe Arpaio as Hurricane Hit](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/us/politics/trump-finland-harvey-arpaio-russia.html) Because no one ever goes out on Friday night, even when a hurricane is hitting another part of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/11 "2017-08-29T16:32:39Z")
Picking on Arpaio is simply the typical American attitude that the only important event that happened is the last one that happened. He was convicted of having his department profile Hispanics in the enforcement of immigration law. Yes he is a scumbag but how does that compare to: Michael Anthony Tedesco: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute in excess of 5 kilograms of cocaine. Caryn Lynn Camp: Wire fraud (10 counts); mail fraud (two counts); conspiracy to steal trade secrets; conspiracy to transport stolen goods; interstate transportation of stolen goods Mary Ann Iron Shield: Involuntary manslaughter (revenge killing of an abusive husband) Willie Shaw, Jr.: Armed bank robbery ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/12 "2017-08-29T16:36:43Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > The whole idea of a presidential pardon is corrupt and unconscionable. I don’t agree. It’s a valid safety valve in a system where mistakes can be made, or where, upon reflection, some people were given sentences that were way to harsh. Sure, clemency can achieve much of the same goal, but some people probably deserve to be pardoned. [For example](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111814904): > [@](#): > > The mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, has issued a blanket pardon to people who were arrested in the city during 1960’s civil rights protests. About 2,500 people were jailed during that era of fire hoses and police dogs, and that included children and the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. I’m sure we can come up with lots of examples. In general, I think the pardon should be used more, not less. But not for the rich and powerful, but to reduce the number of people in prison due to mandatory minimums who don’t need to be there. However, the power can certainly be abused. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/13 "2017-08-29T16:37:44Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Picking on Arpaio is simply the typical American attitude that the only important event that happened is the last one that happened. He was convicted of having his department profile Hispanics in the enforcement of immigration law. Yes he is a scumbag but how does that compare to: > Michael Anthony Tedesco: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute in excess of 5 kilograms of cocaine. > Caryn Lynn Camp: Wire fraud (10 counts); mail fraud (two counts); conspiracy to steal trade secrets; conspiracy to transport stolen goods; interstate transportation of stolen goods > Mary Ann Iron Shield: Involuntary manslaughter (revenge killing of an abusive husband) > Willie Shaw, Jr.: Armed bank robbery I think a case can be made that Arpaio is the least deserving of a pardon of the people listed here. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/14 "2017-08-29T16:39:17Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Yes he is a scumbag but how does that compare to: Well, he was also an elected official who was sworn to uphold the law. So it is within reason to hold him to a higher standard. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/15 "2017-08-29T16:40:14Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think a case can be made that Arpaio is the least deserving of a pardon of the people listed here. Widespread (and vocal) violation of the 14th Amendment? Yeah, definitely the least deserving. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/16 "2017-08-29T16:54:15Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Picking on Arpaio is simply the typical American attitude that the only important event that happened is the last one that happened. He was convicted of having his department profile Hispanics in the enforcement of immigration law. Yes he is a scumbag but how does that compare to: > Michael Anthony Tedesco: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute in excess of 5 kilograms of cocaine. > Caryn Lynn Camp: Wire fraud (10 counts); mail fraud (two counts); conspiracy to steal trade secrets; conspiracy to transport stolen goods; interstate transportation of stolen goods > Mary Ann Iron Shield: Involuntary manslaughter (revenge killing of an abusive husband) > Willie Shaw, Jr.: Armed bank robbery It looks like all of those people had already served their sentences before receiving their pardon. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/17 "2017-08-29T17:28:37Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Picking on Arpaio is simply the typical American attitude that the only important event that happened is the last one that happened. He was convicted of having his department profile Hispanics in the enforcement of immigration law. Yes he is a scumbag but how does that compare to: > Michael Anthony Tedesco: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute in excess of 5 kilograms of cocaine. > Caryn Lynn Camp: Wire fraud (10 counts); mail fraud (two counts); conspiracy to steal trade secrets; conspiracy to transport stolen goods; interstate transportation of stolen goods > Mary Ann Iron Shield: Involuntary manslaughter (revenge killing of an abusive husband) > Willie Shaw, Jr.: Armed bank robbery These people did not pose the existential threat to democracy that Arpaio did (and perhaps continues to do). A murderer of ONE person? A bank robber? Minor league. 5 kilos of coke? A drop in the ocean. Fraud and transportation of stolen goods? Not even capital crimes. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/18 "2017-08-29T18:32:46Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > The whole idea of a presidential pardon is corrupt and unconscionable. It’s exactly the same as a governor’s pardon. And these are needed because of things like mandatory minimum sentences–which turn out to be excessive in particular instances. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/19 "2017-08-29T19:48:35Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think a case can be made that Arpaio is the least deserving of a pardon of the people listed here. > [@Icarus](#): > > Well, he was also an elected official who was sworn to uphold the law. So it is within reason to hold him to a higher standard. So racial profiling of Hispanics by a Sheriff is worse than armed robbery or a revenge killing? Let’s examine that last one [QUOTE=United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.] Sherman Iron Shield died in the early morning hours of November 12, 1981, a few steps from the door of his home on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota. His death resulted from a knife wound to the left side of his chest which pierced his heart and a small portion of his liver. His death was the culmination of an altercation with his wife, the defendant, which followed a long evening of drinking with friends and relatives. Earlier in the evening, Mary Ann Iron Shield and her sister joined her husband, half-sister, and half-brother at a local bar. After the bar closed, the group bought a case of beer and returned to the Iron Shield residence, where they sat around the dining table and continued drinking and visiting. After some time Sherman became argumentative, as he often did, and began accusing Mary Ann of infidelity. This was evidently a prelude which had been repeated many times in the course of their troubled seventeen-year marriage. Mary Ann responded by denying the accusations and adverting to Sherman’s inability to hold a job and his lack of support for her and their five children. Finally she told him to get out of the house. As he rose from the table, he knocked over the chair in which he had been sitting. 3 Sherman then went out to the front yard, leaving the storm door closed and the front door open. He continued his belligerence by taunting Mary Ann and her brother to come out and fight. The precise sequence and timing of events from this point is less than clear, since all participants’ and witnesses’ recollections are clouded by their drinking. At some point Sherman called to Mary Ann, saying that if she would bring him another beer, he would leave her alone. She complied with his request and handed him a beer through the opened storm door. As she did so Sherman grabbed her arm and threw beer in her face from a can he already had. He then proceeded to slam the door on her arm a number of times. When Mary Ann managed to free her arm from the door, she ran to the kitchen, some twenty-five feet from the door, and pulled a large carving knife from a drawer. She testified that she then went to the door intending only to brandish the knife so as to frighten Sherman away from the house. Precisely what happened after Mary Ann stepped onto the front porch is unclear. She testified that she does not remember stabbing Sherman, but only pulling the knife from his chest. He died on the sidewalk near the front steps to the house. [/QUOTE] She is more deserving of a pardon than Arpaio? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987/20 "2017-08-29T20:14:17Z")
Corrupting justice, democracy and the American way [and sodomizing bald eagles I think]: William Arthur Borders Jr. A cabinet member lying to the FBI which according to the anti-Arpaio make him worse than a murderer because he was a government official: Henry Cisneros Keep it in the family: Roger Clinton Jr. Thank you for protecting me: Susan McDougal Here we go - an elected official using the Post Office to launder money: Dan Rostenkowski All of these are better pardons, including the President’s brother and a person who went to jail for protecting the President from perjury, than pardoning Arpaio? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-worst-presidential-us-pardons-in-history/794987.md?page=2)