Democrats in Congress are advancing a proposal that would dramatically limit a president’s constitutional authority to issue pardons—an effort supporters say is about reform, but critics argue is clearly aimed at Donald Trump.
The proposal would amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict how pardons may be granted, placing new limits on future presidents and redefining one of the executive branch’s most powerful tools.
Democrats Push Constitutional Amendment
California Democratic Rep. Mike Levin announced on X that he is co-sponsoring a constitutional amendment to “reform the pardon power.” The measure would prohibit self-pardons, ban pardons for immediate family members, senior administration officials, and campaign staff, and invalidate pardons allegedly issued for personal or financial protection.
The proposal was introduced earlier this year and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It is led by Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen, with additional co-sponsors including Reps. Ted Lieu, Suzanne Bonamici, and Henry Johnson.
Levin has argued that presidents from both parties have misused the pardon power, while placing special emphasis on President Trump’s use of clemency during his current term.
White House Responds
The White House rejected those claims, defending Trump’s actions as fully constitutional.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Newsweek that President Trump has exercised his authority lawfully and transparently.
She contrasted Trump’s record with that of the previous administration, criticizing what she described as last-minute pardons and commutations for violent offenders and politically connected individuals.
Debate Over Justice and Executive Power
Critics of Trump claim his pardons benefit allies and weaken confidence in the justice system. A House Judiciary Democratic review released earlier this year estimated that some pardons resulted in more than $1 billion in unpaid restitution and related costs.
Supporters of the president strongly disagree. They argue Trump is using a constitutional mechanism to correct excessive sentencing, address politically motivated prosecutions, and restore fairness in cases where justice was distorted.
Earlier this year, Trump granted clemency to roughly 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, a decision praised by many conservatives who believe those cases reflected government overreach.
Trump has also issued high-profile pardons and commutations, including actions involving former New York congressman George Santos and Changpeng Zhao, moves that reignited debate over the scope of presidential authority.
Legal Experts Say Measure Faces Long Odds
Even legal scholars critical of Trump concede the proposal is unlikely to succeed. Calvin Jillson, a professor at Southern Methodist University, noted that constitutional amendments are historically rare and difficult to pass.
To become law, the amendment would require approval by a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-quarters of U.S. states.
Bottom Line
While Democrats frame the proposal as a safeguard for democracy, conservatives argue it represents another attempt to weaken executive authority when it is exercised by President Trump.
For now, the Constitution remains unchanged—and the presidential pardon power remains firmly in place.