How many presidential pardons have there been in all of history, which presidents have granted them and for what reasons?

Exercising presidential pardons emanating from Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, a president is empowered to pardon individuals convicted of federal offenses as part of the criminal justice process of the United States. Indeed, all presidents, from George Washington to the present, have utilized this power, though both the nature and number fluctuate not only over time but often also as reflections of political context or individual presidential philosophies.

Total number of pardons

A total of 20,000 pardons have been granted throughout U.S. history up to the year 2024. This number encompasses full pardons, commutations, and other forms of clemency. The most prolific president to date regarding pardons was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who issued 3,687 pardons in four terms in office from 1933 to 1945.

Notable presidents and their pardoning practices

Different presidents have approached the issue of pardoning with varying degrees of frequency and intent, in many ways influenced by their respective political contexts and personal beliefs.

George Washington (1789-1797)

He was the first to exercise this presidential power of pardon, issuing two in 1795 related to the Whiskey Rebellion. He intended to heal the wounds of the nation and reconcile it after the violent protests against the Whiskey Tax.

Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

He is best remembered for the post-Civil War pardons as a reconciliation to the former Confederates. In 1868, he granted amnesty to many of the participants of the rebellion, reflecting his lenient approach to Reconstruction.

Gerald Ford (1974)

One of the most controversial pardons on record was Ford’s of Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed in office. Although a necessary evil to heal the country after Watergate, the action seriously affected Ford’s popularity and his political life.

Jimmy Carter (1977)

Carter granted a blanket amnesty to some 200,000 draft dodgers who did not serve during the Vietnam War. He did this to help heal and bring the country together after such a divisive conflict.

Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

Clinton’s practices of pardoning were widely shadowed by controversy, especially those last-minute pardons before he left office in January 2001. He notably pardoned Marc Rich, a financier with connections to Democratic donors, raising questions about favoritism and corruption.

Barack Obama (2009-2017)

Obama issued 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations in office, the lion’s share to low-level nonviolent drug offenders in an unprecedented push to reshape criminal justice policies. His Clemency Initiative took on strict laws on sentences for low-level offenders.

Donald Trump (2017-2021)

Trump issued 143 pardons and commuted 94 sentences. His most controversial include those of associates like Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, celebrities such as Lil Wayne; many have criticized as showing favoritism to friends and allies.

President Joe Biden (2021 – Present)

As of December 2024, President Joe Biden has granted a total of 26 pardons during his tenure. The most notable recent pardon was for his son, Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing for federal tax and gun-related offenses. This decision marked a significant shift from Biden’s earlier statements about not using his presidential powers to intervene in his son’s legal matters as discussed further here, Can Hunter Biden’s pardon be revoked?

Reasons for granting pardons 

Presidents have issued pardons for several reasons, including but not limited to those listed here.

• Reconciliation: Various presidents have granted pardons to heal the wounds left in the country’s psyche due to some event, be it a war or other scandal, that had divided its people. 
• Justice reform: Of late, through their presidencies, chiefs of state have been using such powers to correct injustices in the criminal justice system, especially over nonviolent offenses. 
• Political favoritism: Some of the graces have raised eyebrows and suspicions of corruption or misuse of powers since they involved political cronies or friends. 

Presidential clemencies carry some pretty heavy luggage in history amidst this tense dance of justice, politics, and personal feelings between differing parties. Of the approximately 20,000 acts of clemency since Washington was at his desk, each administration made its peculiar mark on that legacy. As these times of change further progress with thoughts of justice and rehabilitation, so will the repression continue under future presidents by balancing compassionate authority against accountable wisdom in this realm of ever-changing times and political change.

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