Quote Originally Posted by redgunamo View Post
No. A president doesn't need permission, the office of president is the permission, he is the appropriate channels! As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, all law enforcement reports to him. And if anybody doesn't like it they can impeach him.

Essentially the pardon, following his resignation, was to bring an end to the national disaster and allow everyone to move on; at that point, his opponents had got their man. No need to rub it in further.
Well that was the official explanation. So that's obviously not the reason.

The office of the President is subject to judicial oversight like any other. The notion of abuse of power doesn't simply stop the minute you enter the round room.

Nixon engaged in conspiracy, treason and obstruction of justice. Guilty as sin on all counts.