US presidential pardons: a potted history of a shabby convention

Donald Trump is expected to pardon more than 100 people, following in the footsteps of White House predecessors

Donald Trump is hardly unique in his controversial use of presidential pardons, which have been a sometimes sordid feature of US politics for well over two centuries.

In his final hours in office, Trump is expected to pardon more than 100 people, including political allies, friends and cronies. He has already granted clemency to principal figures from his 2016 campaign.