As President Trump’s term is nearing its end, he has been issuing very questionable pardons. There is no question that the Constitution gives the President a vast pardoning power. However, some of President Trump’s pardons have raised questions on how to prevent abuse of this executive power. This article analyzes the constitutional background of the pardoning power, legal precedents, President Trump’s questionable pardons, and what steps should be taken to prevent future abuse.

Not too long ago, states had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of new shipments of the coronavirus vaccine after Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced on January 12 that the federal government would be releasing many more doses from their vaccine inventory instead of stockpiling them up for second doses in an effort to get more Americans vaccinated with their first dose. However, it has just been recently revealed that there are no vaccines left in the inventory to ship, a major disappointment and concern for the country, as the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to climb dramatically.

Both Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock won against their Republican opponents, giving the seats a 50/50 split, but incoming Vice-President elect Kamala Harris, a Democrat, will be the tiebreaker in any 50-50 vote, giving the Democrats majority control.

On January 1st, Mexico City’s ban on plastic bags, utensils, and other disposable items took effect. The city of 9 million, one of the largest cities in the world, has spent the last year preparing for this ban. The law was passed by lawmakers in 2019 and Mexico City has been gradually instituting changes since.