A presidential pardon is an executive order issued by the president of a country that grants forgiveness for a criminal offense. It is a form of clemency that can be granted at any time, even after a person has been convicted and sentenced. In the United States, the president has the authority to grant pardons for federal offenses, while governors have the authority to grant pardons for state offenses.
There are many reasons why a president might grant a pardon. In some cases, a pardon may be granted because the president believes that the person who was convicted did not actually commit the crime, or that the sentence that was imposed was too harsh. In other cases, a pardon may be granted because the president believes that the person who was convicted has already served their time and has been rehabilitated. A pardon can also be granted as a way to show mercy or compassion, or to correct a mistake that was made in the justice system.