Bush Pulls Pardon of Robert Isaac Toussie

Bush Rescinds Pardon: No Redemption for Robert Isaac Toussie

Justice or just desserts for Robert Isaac Toussie?

In an unprecedented move, outgoing President George W. Bush has rescinded the presidential pardon he granted to Robert Isaac Toussie. The pardon for Toussie was 1 of 19 criminal pardons announced by the White House on Tuesday, December 23, 2008. A day later came the startling news that President Bush had reconsidered Toussie’s case and was rescinding the pardon.

During the White House press briefing on Wednesday, press secretary Dana Perino said that she didn’t know of any other instance when a presidential pardon had been reversed. The President’s decision was defended by Perino, calling it “the right decision” when information came to light that Robert Isaac Toussie’s father, Robert, had donated $28,500 to the national Republican Party in April 2008. He contributed an additional $11,000 to other Republican candidates throughout the year, according to stories printed in the New York Daily News and Newsday. President Bush was reportedly unaware of the donations when he granted Toussie’s pardon. Once that information came to light, however, The President quickly rescinded the pardon to quell any illusion of a quid pro quo deal.

The President’s Power to Pardon

The President’s broad power to grant (or rescind) reprieves and pardons is provided for in the U.S. Constitution:

“The President … shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”

Over time, the President’s broad power to pardon has evolved to include:

· Full pardon – wiping away a criminal conviction, as if it never happened…

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