So, ostensibly, pardons are meant to be a way to override the Justice system where it has failed to provide justice. If the law is unjust or it’s application was unjust, a pardon can correct that. And ideally it is used sparingly and by a President that that can be trusted to be an arbiter of wisdom and morality. So there’s just about no limitations on the power. And the other branches are meant to give consequences for unethical applications of it, like quid pro quo patdons/bribery. But obviously that is not how it works in practice.
So, ostensibly, pardons are meant to be a way to override the Justice system where it has failed to provide justice. If the law is unjust or it’s application was unjust, a pardon can correct that. And ideally it is used sparingly and by a President that that can be trusted to be an arbiter of wisdom and morality. So there’s just about no limitations on the power. And the other branches are meant to give consequences for unethical applications of it, like quid pro quo patdons/bribery. But obviously that is not how it works in practice.
If the only consequences is that they can be removed from office, that’s not really a consequence in my opinion
Supposedly, if impeached and removed, they can be liable for criminal charges. Idk if that still is the case after the Supreme Court ruling or not.