Laying the Foundation
The delicate institutional balance sought by the Founders in 1787: establishing a President stronger than state governors of the era, but weaker than this type of monarchical ruler.
What is a king?
The only individual in the national government who holds veto power.
Who is the President of the United States?
This Founding American, the titular topic of one of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time, was a huge advocate for the pardon power at the Constitutional Convention. (He believed that wise presidents should be allowed to show compassion under certain circumstances).
Who is Alexander Hamilton?
The Enlightenment was a period of philosophical exploration of good government, centered in this continent.
What is Europe?
The men who wrote the Constitution had the experience of breaking away from this powerful empire.
What is the British Empire?
The executive power that allows a President to forgive or relieve individuals of penalties for federal crimes.
What is the power to grant pardons?
The required vote threshold in both the House of Representatives and the Senate necessary to override a presidential veto. (Expressed in a fraction).
What is a two-thirds (2/3) supermajority?
Under the system of federalism, pardons from the United States Executive Branch are not valid for state crimes, but rather this type of crime.
What is a federal crime? (What is a crime against the United States?)
Enlightenment philosophers admired this legislative body of Ancient Rome. (In the United States, it is the only legislative body with the power to remove a President from office).
What is the Senate?
Presidents cannot make these: only Congress can "make" them, or more specifically, write them.
What are laws? (What is legislation?)
The Article II presidential role granting ultimate civilian authority over the nation's armed forces.
What is Commander in Chief?
Beyond rejecting finished bills, presidents utilize the implicit threat of a veto as this type of strategic mechanism when negotiating with this branch of government.
What is the legislative branch? (What is Congress ?)
Colloquially, a pardon is said to get you out of this for free. A "get out of ____________ free card"
What is "jail"? (What is prison?)
Enlightenment philosophers admired this type of government from Ancient Athens, but often argued that it should only exist with limitations.
What is democracy?
The initial governing document of the United States, which established a weak national government that delegates sought to replace at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
While the President maintains authority to negotiate international treaties, this specific legislative body must confirm them.
What is the United States Senate?
"Veto" means "I forbid" in this ancient language.
What is Latin?
The limit to the number of pardons a president is allowed to give during his or her term.
What is there is no limit?
The French political thinker whose ideas regarding the separation of powers influenced the Constitutional framework of three distinct governmental branches.
Who was Baron de Montesquieu?
Opponents of the 45th President were furious: this 2024 landmark Supreme Court decision holding 6–3 that former presidents enjoy absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions taken within their constitutional authority.
What is Trump v. United States?
The Constitutional Convention delegate who persuaded fellow Founders that national executive authority should be held by a single individual rather than a committee.
Who was James Wilson?
The 7th U.S. President who expanded executive authority by using the veto more frequently than predecessors, notably blocking the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States in 1832. (His image is currently on the $20 bill)
Who was Andrew Jackson?
The number of branches of government that need to approve presidential pardons.
What is zero?
Partially modeled after the British House of Commons, only this house of Congress may initiate bills related to taxation.
What is the House of Representatives?
This 42nd President was impeached in 1998. He was only the second president to ever be impeached. (The nation was caught up in a scandal over lies, obstruction, and risqué personal behavior).
Who is Bill Clinton?