The presidential pardon power might have outlived its original purpose

If the criminal justice system is unmerciful, why not take steps to fix it rather than continue to tolerate corrupt presidential pardons?

The pardon power is a monarch-like power that was adopted in the Constitution without much discussion by the Framers. Today, it is widely misunderstood as a sacrosanct presidential prerogative with virtually no restraints. Most Americans probably don’t understand its potential for abuse and the disastrous implications for democracy. Or the fact that, as…