BREAKING:A New Constitutional Amendment Targets Abuse of Pardons. Rep Mike Levin is introducing a constitutional amendment that would BAN a self-pardons, pardons for family, administration officials, campaign staff, and anyone committing crimes to help the president.

BREAKING:A New Constitutional Amendment Targets Abuse of Pardons. Rep Mike Levin is introducing a constitutional amendment that would BAN a self-pardons, pardons for family, administration officials, campaign staff, and anyone committing crimes to help the president.

A new constitutional amendment aimed at curbing potential abuses of presidential pardon power is being introduced by Rep. Mike Levin, reigniting debate over the limits of executive authority. The proposal would ban self-pardons and prohibit presidents from issuing pardons to close family members, administration officials, campaign staff, or individuals who committed crimes to benefit the president personally or politically.

Supporters of the amendment argue that the Constitution’s current pardon power, while intended as a tool for mercy, has been increasingly viewed as vulnerable to conflicts of interest. By explicitly restricting who can be pardoned, lawmakers backing the proposal say the amendment would strengthen accountability and reinforce the principle that no one, including the president, is above the law. They also emphasize that the change would apply prospectively, shaping clearer ethical boundaries for future administrations.

Critics, however, caution that altering the pardon power through a constitutional amendment sets a high bar and could have unintended consequences. Amending the Constitution requires broad bipartisan support and ratification by the states, making passage uncertain. Still, the proposal reflects growing concern in Congress over executive overreach and marks a significant step in the ongoing conversation about checks and balances in American democracy.