This week, we asked readers if they agree that presidential pardons should be given when a president leaves office. Is it right and just?

 

“That’s a good question. I believe that if you have a lot of proof, proof like they have on this person, Michael Flynn, there’s so much proof that this guy didn’t do anything wrong, so yeah, I believe in the pardons, even if the president is leaving office. Hey, he still has the ability. He’s still the president, yeah.”

 

Dawn Marie,

Indian Village

 

“That’s a very interesting question. I don’t know if it’s just or right because the legal system has a whole bunch of laws that are not just or right, but I will say this. It’s a (expletive) up situation. Sorry for the English. One side of me wants to say yes, he can pardon people as he’s leaving, but part of me feels like maybe that’s my ego saying that. He earned that spot so he can do whatever at the last moment but part of me feels no, that’s wrong for the greater good of everybody because he’s going to pardon people that might not deserve a pardon, and that might mess things up. Setting up a commission sounds like a nice idea.”

 

Nicholas Alexander,

Norwood

 

“I don’t think [President Donald] Trump should be giving all these pardons that he’s been doing. For Michael Flynn, for example, it’s totally criminal. He may try to pardon himself or family members, but I believe many of his efforts will be stopped. Besides, he’s going to face some legal troubles here in New York City as well. He is not, by any means, invincible.”

 

Bryan Briggs,

Wakefield

 

“I believe in [President Donald] Trump. I believe that if he felt that the man [Michael Flynn] needed to be pardoned, then there’s obviously a reason for it. Granted, there could be a friendship there, but we don’t know exactly what went on or what was said. Yes, we know what the FBI says, but can you trust our government officials? Plus, if someone like Trump who is upfront and tells you how it is, and if he felt it was the right thing to do, then it was the right thing to do.”

 

Jason Rivera,

Parkchester

 

“I believe the president should be able to pardon people, but I don’t think he should be allowed to pardon members of his own family. I don’t know; maybe a commission could vote on a president’s selections for pardons in the future, in order to avoid such controversy.”

 

Doreen Joseph,

Van Nest