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Jess Velona explores how presidential pardons, while often merciful or remedial for judicial errors, have also been granted amidst some of the greatest political controversies in our history. Some examples include Andrew Johnson’s mass pardons of ex-Confederates, Ford’s pardon of Nixon after Watergate, Carter’s mass pardons of Vietnam draft evaders, Clinton’s pardon of fugitive Marc Rich, Biden’s pardon of his son, and Trump’s mass pardons of January 6 defendants. Jess will address what limits exist upon the pardon power, particularly after the Supreme Court’s recent decision on presidential immunity.

About the Presenter: Jess Velona has taught courses on Russian history, the Nazi regime, and other topics at Fordham University’s College at 60 and NYU’s School of Professional Studies, as well as African American history at CUNY’s College of Staten Island. He has been a Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School since 2006.  Jess graduated from Harvard College and received an MA in history from NYU before completing Columbia Law School, where he has been a lecturer-in-law since 2006. Jess previously served as a law clerk for then-Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As a one time candidate for public office in Manhattan and former aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Jess loves sharing his passion for politics and history with students and adult audiences across the New York metropolitan area.