President Trump is expected to leave office having granted the fewest pardons in the past 100 years, an analysis published Friday showed.
Though rumors have floated about Trump considering several pardons before January, the president has so far given 29 pardons and 16 commutations, according to USA Today’s data.
However, many of Trump’s clemency grants have been controversial, particularly his latest pardon to former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators over his conversations with Russia during the 2016 presidential transition period. Reactions to Flynn’s pardon fell largely on party lines.
Other notable pardons Trump has granted include ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, and ex-Wall Street financier Michael Milken.
Requests for pardons and commutations have also been on the rise in the past three decades, but the number of clemency grants actually issued has fallen.
Former President Barack Obama received over 36,000 requests during his eight years in office, while Trump received around 11,000 in four years.
Reports in the past month say, however, that Trump is considering more pardons before exiting the White House, with speculation suggesting that the president has even inquired about a self-pardon and clemency for his family members.
Most legal experts argue a self-pardon wouldn’t be possible, but the legality of it has never actually been tested.
Presidents typically have few limits to pardon power. However, they can only be issued for federal crimes. Pardons also can’t be used for impeachment cases tried and convicted by Congress.
