Since the earliest days of the republic, termed-out or defeated American presidents headed out of the White House issue pardons to a chosen few (or, on occasion, a hefty stack) of accused or convicted applicants hoping to breathe free. The executive branch’s “get out of jail free” cards come out of the fading president’s deck thanks to the head of state’s forgiving nature or pressure to make final political statements before the commander in chief retires to private life.

To have an idea of whom President Joe Biden might select for his pardons before he leaves office on Jan. 20 to make room for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, it helps to recall and analyze the controversial pardons of presidents past and to review the process that brings cases to the Oval Office.