Presidential Transitions: Executive Clemency (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
July 31, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12726 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Garrett Hatch |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In Section 2 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (as
amended; 3 U.S.C. 102 note), Congress declared that “[t]he
national interest requires that [presidential] transitions … be
accomplished so as to assure continuity in the faithful
execution of the laws and in the conduct of the affairs of the
Federal Government, both foreign and domestic.” The crux
of such a transition is the transfer of executive power from
the incumbent to the President-elect. The executive’s power
manifests in a variety of processes with application to a
broad range of policy areas and issues. CRS has produced a
set of products examining selected processes and policies
that may be of particular interest during a presidential
transition. This In Focus discusses the use of executive
clemency powers during a presidential transition. Other
related products examine executive orders, government
records, presidential appointments (executive branch),
rulemaking, and presidential transitions generally.
