The truth is, Hunter isnt the target.
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution grants the president the power to “grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”
Ex parte Garland, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 333 (1867)
Presidential pardon power extends to offenses already committed, even if not yet charged or adjudicated.
A pardon removes both punishment and the legal guilt associated with the offense.
Burdick v. United States, 236 U.S. 79 (1915)
A pardon must be accepted by the recipient to be effective and implies guilt for the offenses it covers.
Murphy v. Ford, 390 F. Supp. 1372 (W.D. Mich. 1975)
Affirmed the broad nature of the presidential pardon power, including its application to offenses not yet formally charged.
Historical Example: President Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon (1974)
Covered “all offenses against the United States” committed by Nixon during his presidency, including undiscovered or uncharged crimes.