We spoke with 50 Americans — ages 18 to 61, an equal mix of men and women, and an equal mix Trump and Harris voters — about their views on presidential pardons and recent high-profile cases. Their perspectives shed light on why many believe the pardon power is ripe for reform. While some see the pardon as an essential corrective tool, others worry about how it can be misused.
How 50 Americans Shaped This Conversation on Pardons
This study was run by Conveo on January 21st. Our AI moderator ran 50
qualitative voice and video interviews with a sample of Americans aged
18 to 61. The median interview length was 17.5 minutes. All data was
collected in under 3 hours. Conveo’s automated insights engine did the
parsing of the data and basic analysis. A human qualitative
research expert built the storyline. All video quotes were anonymized for privacy reasons.
Interestingly, both Trump and Harris voters share common ground: 30% of Trump voters and 27% of Harris voters believe that presidential pardons are a good idea. Even more striking, they both overwhelmingly agree on the need for reform and that no president—current or future—should have the power to pardon themselves or family members. Such bipartisan consensus is rare in today’s polarized America and highlights the enduring importance of pardons in governance.
While there is broad agreement on the principle of reform, differences emerge in specific views on who should receive pardons. For instance, the debate around whether pardons should apply to convicted or unconvicted individuals remains divisive.
Preemptive Pardons: Justice or Shielding the Powerful?
A significant number of interviewees expressed disapproval of President Biden’s decision to issue pardons preemptively — particularly for high-profile figures like Anthony Fauci, who has not been convicted of any crime. This group believes that pardons should be reserved for individuals who have been wronged by the justice system, such as those who were wrongfully convicted or excessively sentenced. From their perspective, granting clemency before a conviction undermines the integrity of legal proceedings, raising concerns that it might shield powerful or connected individuals from due accountability.
Perception of Legal Process Fairness
50 Occurrences
The respondent's feelings about the fairness of the legal process in light of pardoning individuals who have not been convicted.
"Pardoning someone preemptively pardoning someone when they haven't been investigated or even charged with a crime or gone through the legal process is absolutely awful, and it makes a mockery of our justice system, and it it shows that when they say no one is above the law, actually, some people are above the law." - Melissa D.
However, some participants see these preemptive pardons as strategic protection in a politically charged climate. They argue that such pardons can be necessary to guard against what they perceive as retaliatory or politically motivated legal actions—particularly if a former president or opposing party pursues investigations for political gain. In this view, preventing a drawn-out legal battle is both practical and fair, given the polarized nature of contemporary politics.
"I thought that president Biden pardoned these individuals, specifically like, Anthony Fauci, because he feared that there would be some sort of retaliation against them." - Heath C.
Capitol Rioters Pardoned: Accountability or Dangerous Precedent?
A majority of participants took issue with a president pardoning individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol storming, emphasizing the need for accountability in cases of serious offenses:
Opinion on Trump Pardoning Capitol Rioters
49 Occurrences
The respondent's opinion on President Trump's decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot.
Most believe the pardons risk undermining the rule of law, suggesting that people who commit serious acts of political violence should face legal consequences. Some respondents worry such pardons set a dangerous precedent, potentially signaling that similar actions could be forgiven in the future if they serve political aims.
"Trump should've never pardoned these individuals. He did it for his own benefit. He even he called them hostages, which is that that's ridiculous, because they were criminals. They they weren't hostages. They attacked the the capital." - Michael Z.
Nevertheless, a minority of interviewees defended or accepted the idea of pardoning these individuals. They often cited perceptions of judicial overreach, arguing that those convicted of participating in the riot received disproportionately harsh sentences. For them, the pardons serve as a corrective measure, especially if they believe the justice system treated the defendants unfairly or politically.
The Hunter Biden Pardon: Nepotism, Politics, or Protection?
A sizeable portion of our interviewees expressed strong disapproval and disappointment at President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter after previously indicating he would not. This reaction was closely tied to concerns about nepotism and the misuse of presidential power, with respondents viewing it as a breach of trust that undermines both the credibility of the pardon system and the president’s own integrity.
Emotional Reaction to Biden Pardoning Hunter
49 Occurrences
The respondent's emotional response to the news of President Biden pardoning his son Hunter.
However, a significant subset deemed the pardon as predictable, interpreting it through a lens of political maneuvering and skepticism about campaign promises. Their perspective suggests a resigned acceptance that political figures often make such decisions out of self-interest, especially in a contentious political climate where retaliatory legal actions are a possibility.
"I think Biden, pardoning his son when he said he wasn't going to just he's, just going back on what he said he was going to do. And the fact that it's his son, yeah, it seems like he's doing it to protect his family. So it seems like people in power just, just protecting their own." - Jennifer F.
A smaller but notable group expressed understanding or support for the move, framing it as a protective measure against what they perceived to be politically motivated legal threats—particularly from former President Trump’s sphere of influence. This group emphasized the fraught political environment, arguing that the pardon could be seen as a pragmatic step rather than a straightforward example of corruption.
Change in View on Pardons
49 Occurrences
Whether the scenario of President Biden pardoning his son Hunter has altered the respondent's view on the use of pardons.
Overall, the Hunter Biden pardon highlights the divided perception around presidential pardons. While it reinforced existing worries about nepotism and misuse of power for many, others pointed to the complex political dynamics that might justify the decision. In doing so, the issue sparked further debate about whether the current system of presidential pardons needs more transparency, oversight, or even constitutional reforms to safeguard public trust.
Do Pardons Help or Harm Justice? Public Views on Their Role
Many interviewees maintain that presidential pardons are beneficial in principle, serving as a vital tool for correcting injustices and offering an additional check on the judicial system. This perspective recognizes the historical intent of pardons—to provide relief in cases of wrongful convictions or overly harsh sentencing—and suggests that, when used prudently, pardons can uphold fairness.
Belief in Presidential Pardons
51 Occurrences
Whether the respondent believes presidential pardons are generally a good idea.
However, there is widespread concern about misuse of this power. Numerous respondents worry that pardons lack adequate oversight, potentially enabling personal or political gain—especially when they involve family members or political allies. Calls for tighter constraints include banning pardons for serious crimes, mandating that a conviction be in place before a pardon, or requiring a thorough review process by an independent committee.
Opinions vary on specific criteria for granting pardons. Some propose limiting pardons to nonviolent offenses or cases where new evidence indicates innocence, while others advocate for a more structured process that could include secondary approvals to ensure accountability. These suggestions underscore a desire for transparency and consistency that would preserve the pardon’s original intent while minimizing political manipulation.
A minority of participants favor abolishing presidential pardons entirely. They argue that this executive power undermines the broader legal framework, allowing for preferential treatment and political paybacks. From their viewpoint, existing appeals processes should suffice for addressing miscarriages of justice, without placing such significant power in the hands of a single individual.
Overall, most respondents would like to retain the pardon power but with clearer rules and robust checks, ensuring that decisions are made in the interest of justice rather than political expediency.
Should Pardons Survive the 21st Century? Calls for Reform
A clear majority of interviewees, both Trump and Harris voters, believe that the presidential pardon power should endure, citing its capacity to rectify injustices and offer relief to individuals who might otherwise languish under unfair rulings. Many point to the original humanitarian intent of pardons—providing second chances in cases of excessive punishment or wrongful conviction—as too important to lose.
Opinion on Pardon Power Existence
48 Occurrences
Whether the respondent believes the pardon power should continue to exist in 2025 and beyond.
"I think it should still exist in 2025 and beyond, but it needs to be it needs to be better codified. It can't be as loosely worded and defined as it is or or needs to be adhered to." - Joseph F.
However, nearly all respondents who support retaining the power demand reforms to reduce the risk of misuse. Suggestions include placing limits on pardons for close family members or political allies, and requiring that a conviction be in place before a pardon is granted. Others propose oversight committees or independent review panels to add an extra layer of accountability and transparency to the process.
"I think they have their place, and they should be used sparingly. And I think that not only the president, but I feel like someone else's second opinion needs to be involved in it, not just the president." - Brittany T.
Opinion on Pardon Power Reform
47 Occurrences
Whether the respondent believes the pardon power should continue to exist in 2025 and beyond.
Reforming Presidential Pardons: Balancing Justice and Trust
Should the Presidential Pardon Be Reformed? From correcting judicial errors to sparing individuals from harsh sentences, the presidential pardon has historically served a noble purpose. Yet, our interviews with 50 Americans reveal deep divisions and mounting concerns about how this executive power is being used—particularly when pardons appear to protect powerful interests, unconvicted individuals, or those close to the president.
Surprisingly, our findings reveal a rare point of bipartisan agreement: both Trump and Harris voters strongly believe that reforms are necessary, including clear restrictions on pardons for presidents’ family members and prohibiting self-pardons. Despite partisan divides over specific cases, this shared perspective underscores the broad public desire to preserve the original intent of the pardon—justice and mercy—while ensuring safeguards against misuse.
While debate continues over who should be eligible for pardons and under what circumstances, the consensus is striking: Americans still value the presidential pardon as a tool for justice but demand reforms to protect it from political expediency. This moment of bipartisan agreement offers a unique opportunity to rebuild public trust in the system and to ensure that the pardon power remains a force for fairness in American governance.
Are you a journalist or researcher interested in learning more about our study on presidential pardons? Reach out to us at media@conveo.ai.
