All you legal eagles out there, here is a non-partisan question: Can a US president self-pardon? Not looking at precedent in particular; interested in the legal scope of the pardon power that is housed in US Presidents. What is the legal distinction between pardoning others and self-pardoning or isn't there one? Where does the pardoning power reside and who or what can diminish or expand that scope? Answers and thoughts welcomed --- serious answers not politically motivated or snarky ones please. (OK, a touch of cynicism) And, I am not asking what one can do in a generalized sense. I am asking what is legally permissible. …see more