Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Presidential Pardons
Season 13, Episode 13 · Aired 2026-05-31
Synopsis
John Oliver examines presidential pardons, focusing on Donald Trump's use of the pardon power since returning to office. The episode looks at the people who have received clemency, the political and ethical concerns surrounding those decisions, and the broader risks of a presidential power that can be used with few checks. The episode also touches on the administration's plans for America's 250th anniversary celebration and closes with a comedic awards-campaign bit involving Ghanaian artists.
In the series
This episode is part of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014–present) on HBO.
Longform late-night investigations — net neutrality explainers as comedy events.
Key cast
- John Oliver as Host