Legal Definitions - executive clemency

Executive clemency is a power given to the President and governors in the United States to pardon, grant amnesty, commutation, or reprieve to individuals who have been convicted of a crime or may face conviction. This power is limited to federal offenses for the President and state offenses for governors. The power is generally outlined in each state's constitution.

It is unclear whether accepting executive clemency means admitting guilt, or if an executive can grant clemency to themselves. One famous example of executive clemency was when President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon in 1974.

Another example is when President Obama commuted the sentence of Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of leaking classified information. This means that Manning's sentence was reduced, but she was still considered guilty of the crime.

These examples illustrate how executive clemency can be used to pardon or reduce the punishment of individuals who have been convicted of a crime. It is a powerful tool that can be used by the President and governors to show mercy or correct injustices in the criminal justice system.