According to some constitutional experts discussing the matter on MSNBC, that is an unknown. Apparently the President does not have to divulge who he has issued pardons for and doesn't even have to do it in a formal manner. He can simply write it on a piece of paper and, as long as he has a witness, it is a valid pardon. He can just keep it "in his back pocket" and, when he needs it, pull it out. And it gets worse. He has the ability to issue corporate pardons. i.e. a president can provide certain pardon protection for companies. In both cases the pardons would only apply to federal actions and do not affect state-level actions.
Lots of people have suggested that the one benefit of Trump's tenure is that is has exposed various legislative shortcomings that need to be fixed. It seems like the pardon process is one of them.
Last edited by ryck; 01/23/2104:18 PM.
ryck
"What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" The Doobie Brothers
