Ros Atkins on... the politics of pardons

The BBC's Analysis Editor explains how controversial pardons made by Biden and Trump stretched the limits of the power.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersRos Atkins on... the politics of pardonsOn Inauguration Day, both the outgoing and incoming US presidents issued controversial pardons that expanded the power to new limits.

Joe Biden gave family members pre-emptive pardons, while Donald Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people charged with crimes related to the riot at the US Capitol.

The BBC's Analysis Editor Ros Atkins examines how both cited "politically motivated prosecutions" to explain their actions - and why that's a challenge for trust in the justice system going forward.

SaveExplore More'You can always become a state' Trump tells Canada at Davos20 hrs agoUS & CanadaBishop asks Trump to show mercy to LGBT people and migrants 3 days agoUS & CanadaBBC Verify: Can Donald Trump really rename the Gulf of Mexico?3 days agoWorldMilitia leader Stewart Rhodes leaves prison after Trump's 6 January pardons3 days agoUS & Canada'Sorry, you lost' - Trump fans' message for his critics3 days agoUS & CanadaEngagement with Trump is 'not about his personal views'3 days agoNorthern Ireland PoliticsWatch: BBC outside jail housing Capitol riot defendants3 days agoUS & CanadaRos Atkins on... Donald Trump's new diversity policies3 days agoUS & CanadaPresident Trump and First Lady dance at inaugural ball3 days agoUS & CanadaPresident Donald Trump signs first executive orders4 days agoUS & CanadaWatch: Key moments from President Trump's inauguration day4 days agoUS & CanadaBarron Trump: Then and now4 days agoUS & CanadaWatch: Trump waves goodbye as Biden flies away4 days agoUS & CanadaWatch: Trump's 'golden age' speech in 82 seconds4 days agoUS & CanadaAwkward air kiss as Trump enters Capitol to applause4 days agoUS & Canada'I Donald John Trump'... 47th US president sworn in4 days agoUS & CanadaTech CEOs, celebs and presidents - who's inside Trump's inauguration4 days ago'Welcome home': Bidens greet Trumps at White House4 days agoUS & CanadaTrump arrives at Washington DC church as inauguration events begin4 days ago'Super excited' - Trump supporters head to DC4 days agoUS & CanadaWatch Air National Guard tackle Hughes wildfire in LAThe new wildfire grew quickly overnight and was dubbed an "immediate threat to life" by the California Fire Department.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cqx9el0p7g4o

---