It only took a few strokes of the pen for Donald Trump and Joe Biden to add to the long, strange American tradition.
Presidential pardons date back more than two centuries to George Washington. Given to thousands and thousands of Americans since then, it has been a force both unique and highly subjective.

Richard Nixon bids farewell to his staff outside the White House as he boards a helicopter after resigning the presidency on August 9, 1974. President Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon in full a month later.
(Bob Daugherty/Associated Press)
“In general, presidents can pardon any federal crime,” says Jeffrey Crouch, an assistant law professor at American University in Washington, and they can often use clemency whenever they want. “
This authority led to controversial decisions, including those of President Richard Nixon, officials implicated in the Iran-Contra affair, and disgraced commodities trader Mark Rich. The list grew a bit more in recent weeks when Trump pardoned 1,500 or so So Jan. 6 Rebels Biden did the same to some of his followers Close family members.
The history of administrative clemency is marked by examples that have slipped from memory, whether controversial or, in some cases, humorous.
Here is a sample:
1795: Whiskey Rebellion
In the early 1790s, Pennsylvania farmers tarred and feathered several government officials to collect a new tax on whiskey production. As violence spread, Washington—in his second term as president—personally led a militia to quell what became known as the Whiskey Rebellion.
In 1795 Washington decided to grant the first executive clemency, freeing “guilty of said crimes.” While stressing the rule of law, he spoke of the need for “every degree of moderation and leniency in the proceedings of the Government”.
1815: Pirate Jean Lafitte
During the War of 1812, British forces approached the infamous Gulf of Mexico smuggler to help attack the American coast. Not only did Lafitte warn American officials; He and his crew proved vital in the defense of New Orleans.
As a reward, President James Madison pardoned them for any “secret and illegal” acts they may have previously committed.
1830: George Wilson
This case shows that not all pardons are created equal.
President Andrew Jackson issued an executive clemency that spared Wilson execution for mail robbery but did not prevent a lengthy prison sentence. Wilson rejected it.
Startled officials looked to the Supreme Court, which ruled that Wilson had the right to refuse. Historical accounts of what happened next are murky – some say he was hanged; Others say they accepted President Martin van Buuren's subsequent pardon.
1858: Brigham Young
The Utah War of 1857-58 began when American troops marched west to install a new governor for the territory occupied by the Latter-day Saints and their leader, Young. Although the position remained undetected throughout the year, tensions led to the attack and killing of more than 100 innocent people on a wagon train bound for California.
The war ended when President James Buchanan—in the face of criticism for what he called “Buchanan's mistake”—forgave Young and his followers for opposing the government. In return, they submitted to American rule.
1868: Confederate Army
President Andrew Johnson waited until three years after the Civil War to issue an Independence Day amnesty to anyone who participated in what he called the “rebellion.” Johnson justified the act as a means of “promoting and procuring complete fraternity among the whole people.”

A photo published in The Times in 1925 shows Confederate soldiers and others at Forever Cemetery in Hollywood for the unveiling of a monument to fallen soldiers of the Confederacy.
(Los Angeles Times Archive / UCLA Library)
1971: Jimmy Hoffa
The infamous labor leader went to federal prison in 1967 for jury tampering, fraud and conspiracy. Nixon commuted his sentence by demanding that he abstain from union activities. But classified documents reveal that presidential aides tried to use Hoffa to gain labor support for Nixon's 1972 re-election campaign.
Years later, Hoffa disappeared under mysterious circumstances and was never seen again.

Teamsters Union President Jimmy Hoffa is shown in Washington in 1959.
(Associated Press)
1977: Vietnam draft Dodgers
On his first full day in office, President Jimmy Carter A blanket amnesty was granted to anyone who avoided the draft, allowing thousands of young men to return from Canada and other countries. Part of his campaign pledge was to address the unfinished business of the Vietnam War.
1977: 'Tokyo Rose'
It was 1941 Iwa Ikuko Toguri – Born in Los Angeles, studied at UCLA – Moved to Japan. After the end of World War II, American officials accused the so-called Tokyo Rose—a radio handle she never used—of being one of several women who broadcast English-language radio programs to demoralize American troops. He was convicted of sedition and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Nearly three decades later, President Gerald Ford granted him an unconditional pardon after two prosecution witnesses said they had testified under the influence.
On January 28, 1956 Alderson, W.V.
(Associated Press)
1989: George Steinbrenner
The bombshell owner of the New York Yankees was convicted of making illegal contributions to Nixon's 1972 campaign, but not jailed. Years later, President Ronald Reagan issued an apology that didn't come clean Steinbrenner's record But his full citizenship rights were restored.
2001: Patty Hearst
A newspaper heir, he is kidnapped Symbionese Liberation Army Later they were joined by “Tania”, a recipient of two presidential acts. Carter served his prison sentence for bank robbery in 1979, and then President Bill Clinton issued a full pardon on his final day in office.

Patty Hearst in handcuffs being led by two women through the prisoner entrance of the Criminal Court Building in Los Angeles in 1976.
(John Malmin/Los Angeles Times)