“Presidential pardons: Which ones do Americans approve of?”

The title of this post is the title of this interesting new YouGov entry discussing its latest polling regarding various all sorts of aspects of the use and reach of the federal clemency power.  There are a number of notable and interesting findings discussed throughout the piece, and here is its introductory overview at the start:

As the 50th anniversary of Gerald Ford’s controversial pardon of Richard Nixon approaches, new polling reveals that public support for the pardon has increased over time, though slightly more still disapprove of it than approve. Americans are divided over many specific pardons, largely corresponding to whether their party and the party of the president who issued it are aligned. While some of the most recent pardons — such as those granted by President Joe Biden for marijuana possession — receive broad approval, others, particularly those issued by former President Donald Trump to his allies, are viewed far less favorably.

Roughly half of Americans approve of presidents having the power to pardon federal crimes, but majorities think it would be inappropriate for presidents to pardon themselves, family members, or donors. Many support putting limits on the president’s pardon power, including by making public the reasons behind pardons, prohibiting self-pardons, and limiting pardons during an election year.