The ability to pardon someone convicted of a crime or to commute his or her sentence is an awesome power conferred upon the president of the United States. He must execute this power sparingly, using good judgment. Unfortunately President Clinton did not do so.
Although he pardoned or commuted the sentences of some people who arguably deserved it, he also exercised this power to pardon or commute the sentences of wealthy or politically influential people.
Especially egregious was his pardon of Marc Rich, a billionaire commodities trader who traded with Iran while it held hostages.
He fled the country to avoid prosecution on 51 counts of conspiracy, tax evasion, racketeering and trading with the enemy.
His family reportedly has recently given money to the Democratic Party.
Clinton’s pardoning and commuting of the sentences of Rich and others sends the damaging message that white-collar crime, when committed by wealthy and influential people, will be tolerated by the highest law-enforcement officer in the United States.
