Presidential Pardons and Commutations, From Whiskey Rebellion to Roger Stone

President Trump’s move on Friday to commute the 40-month prison sentence of the political operative Roger J. Stone Jr., a longtime friend of the president’s, is far from the first time the use of that presidential power has raised eyebrows.

The authority to issue pardons and commutations is one of the few executive powers that do not require direct approval from Congress — an echo of the British monarchy that the framers chose to include in the Constitution.

Here’s a look at controversial pardons and commutations throughout U.S. history.

George Washington