A pardon is an act of forgiveness or clemency granted by the President that exempts a person from punishment for their crimes or wrongdoing. In the case of President Ford and Richard Nixon, Ford issued a pardon to protect Nixon from facing legal consequences related to the Watergate scandal.
Related terms
Clemency: Clemency refers to mercy or leniency shown towards someone who has committed a crime or offense. A pardon is one form of clemency given by the President.
Watergate Scandal: The Watergate scandal refers to a series of events that involved illegal activities by members of Nixon's administration, including the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. It ultimately led to Nixon's resignation.
Legal Consequences: Legal consequences are penalties or punishments imposed on individuals who have violated laws or committed crimes. In Nixon's case, the pardon was issued to protect him from facing legal consequences for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.