[Tloewald]

It's not clear if this would have stood up in court, since Nixon was never prosecuted.

[dpearson]

However, when the president of the United States issues a pardon, even one that is of questionable legality, it's still a powerful statement: Ford placed the power and influence of the Oval Office in between Nixon and any prosecutor.

This petition suggests a similar maneuver with Obama and Snowden.