Rein in lame-duck presidential pardons (Editorial) Updated Jan 24, 2021; Facebook Share The framers of the Constitution gave the president unlimited power to grant reprieves and pardons, a means to correct overzealous prosecutions and to temper justice with mercy. They thought public opinion, or the threat of impeachment, would constrain presidents from making corrupt or capricious use of clemency. They were wrong. Recent presidents often have abused their power to help their friends and political allies, often circumventing the usual process for vetting clemency petitions and acting on their way out the door. This hit home last week when President Donald Trump commuted the life sentence of Jaime Davidson.