Saikrishna (Sai) Prakash joins to discuss his new book, The Presidential Pardon: The Short Clause with a Long, Troubled History. The Constitution’s Pardon Clause grants the president a power unmatched in scope and consequence. In The Presidential Pardon, Prakash explores how this brief clause has grown into the most expansive and controversial tool of the modern presidency. Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates.
We invite you to be part of the conversation by submitting questions via email at [email protected].
Prakash is the James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia Law School and senior fellow at the Miller Center at the University of Virginia. He has written on constitutional law for The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, testified before Congress at the request of Democrats and Republicans, and appeared on CNN, Fox, and PBS Newshour.
Purchase the book: The Presidential Pardon: The Short Clause with a Long, Troubled History
This event is part of the National Constitution Center’s Book Club series, which invites Americans of all ages to engage with works by leading scholars and thinkers exploring the Constitution, American history, and the ideas that shape our constitutional democracy. Through conversations with authors representing a range of perspectives, the series encourages thoughtful discussion grounded in primary sources and constitutional principles. The Center convenes these conversations as a forum for learning and dialogue. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Constitution Center. Programs will be offered both virtually and in person at the Center in Philadelphia.
