Checks by the President on the Judiciary

Question 1

power of the pardon

Answer 1

president has constitutional right ‘to grant reprieves and pardons’, allowing him to excuse someone for a federal crime. controversial power with few checks and limits

Question 2

example of the power of the pardon

Answer 2

On Obamas last day in office in 2017, he granted 330 commutations to non-violent drug offenders

Question 3

Nomination of judicial appointments

Answer 3

president can try to shape the ideological balance of the supreme court through who they choose to nominate

Question 4

example of ideological balancing in the supreme court

Answer 4

Obama wanted to replace Antonin Scalia with Merrick Garland but Trumps nominee was Neil Gorsuch (conservative). If Garland had been elected, the court would have become more liberal but with Gorsuch’s appointment , the court remained conservative