Who Would You Pardon?

If you had the power to grant a presidential pardon, who would you choose—and why? The ability to pardon is one of the most significant powers a president holds, offering a second chance to individuals convicted of federal crimes. While some pardons are widely celebrated, others spark controversy, raising questions about fairness, justice, and the role of personal values in such decisions.

At this meeting, we’ll explore how we each define justice and mercy through the lens of presidential pardons.

We’ll ask questions such as:

If you could pardon one person, who would it be and what factors would influence your choice?
What do you think makes a pardon just or unjust?
What do you think pardons should be based on? legal principles, public opinion, or personal conviction?
How do past presidential pardons shape the way you view power today?
This conversation is a chance to reflect on our own values and consider the broader implications of granting—or withholding—mercy.

If you would like to see statistics about Presidential pardons before attending this meeting, check out this link: Office of the Pardon: Clemency Statistics

Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.

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