Every president has issued pardons — except for these two | Tacoma News Tribune

The recent pardon by President Joe Biden for his son Hunter has led to widespread controversy, drawing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. This situation has reignited discussions about presidential pardons, a power historically exercised by nearly every U. S. president, with the exceptions of William Henry Harrison and James Garfield, both of whom died shortly after taking office. Historians suggest that their brief tenures did not allow them the opportunity to consider clemency, and there is no indication they would have refused this power had they lived longer.

The article discusses how the practice of issuing pardons has evolved over time, noting that 19th-century presidents were less likely to use clemency compared to modern presidents. It emphasizes the implications of Biden's decision within the broader context of presidential clemency and its significance in American governance and politics.