A President, can appoint Judges of the Supreme Court, Ambassadors, Public Ministers and Consuls, Members of his Cabinet, and other principal officers in any federal positions. Even though the President´s right to Appointment is legitimate, the Constitution on its Article II establishes the President´s, hence the executive branch, the power to appoint federal officials, still the Senate has to approve each position, and although the Senate may not approve an official, Congress then, cannot eliminate or even limit the President´s power to make the appointments.
A Pardon is a Presidential sign of forgiveness though it does not mean the person was innocent. Â This action is granted only when the applicant accepts and recognizes his/her responsibilities for the crime, and establishes a promise of good conduct for a specific period of time after he/she is released. This right is given exclusively to the President by Article II, Section 2 of the U.S Constitution. After a person is pardoned, some of his/her rights may not be restored, such as the ability to hold public office or even vote, depending on what the state chooses. Â
After a President appoints someone into office, the Senate must confirm their position, and even though the Senate can opt to say no, the Congress generally won’t deny the President´s right to appoint federal officials. Â
The Power to Reprieve means that a sentence has been delayed or suspended. It essentially postpones a person´s punishment, especially to those on death penalty. This is, in comparison to the pardon, the power to reprieve implies just delaying a punishment or execution for a specific period of time, on the other hand, a pardon, eliminates any remaining penalty or punishments and prevents any new prosecution.
Watergate scandal refers to an incredible political scandal that took place in the early 1970´s, after five men broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters on June 17th, 1972, at the Watergate office complex near the White House in Washington, D.C. The five burglars were caught and the plan behind was discovered. This involved then President Richard Nixon and members of his administration. This went as far as to have a Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP), which was the organization for Nixon´s re election campaign. An impeachment process against the President led to his resignation and also the indictment of 69 people, many of whom were found guilty, and were top Nixon officials for abuses of power. Â
