The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the various States, when called upon to serve in the United States; it may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer of each of the executive departments, on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have the power to grant pardons and pardons for crimes contrary to the United States. United States, in cases of impeachment.
Despite the scope of the president’s authority under the pardon clause, the text of the Constitution sets at least two limits to that force: First, clemency can only be granted for crimes against the United States, meaning that state and federal crimes or state civilian attacks are not covered. Second, the force of the president’s pardon will be used in the event of impeachment.