© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Can Biden issue preemptive pardons to protect Trump critics?

Season 2024 Episode 346 | 6m 44s

After President Biden gave his son, Hunter, an expansive pardon, legal experts have questioned how a president’s pardon power could be used moving forward. That includes questions about the possible use of preemptive pardons. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Kim Wehle, author of "Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works-and Why."

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
What Trump's nomination of inflation hawk Kevin Warsh means for the Federal Reserve
Capehart and Abernathy on the backlash against Trump's immigration operation
Remembering the life and career of Catherine O'Hara
What's revealed in the latest Epstein files release – and what's redacted
News Wrap: Mangione will not face death penalty after federal murder charge dismissed
FBI raid of election offices ignites debate over voting security and federal authority
Arrests of journalists fuel backlash as anti-ICE protests spread from Minneapolis
How people with disabilities could bear the burden of Medicaid funding cuts
January 30, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Homan vows 'massive changes' and ICE drawdown if Minnesota officials cooperate