Regarding the Nixon pardon by Gerald Ford, it's difficult to reach any definite conclusion about the validity of the reasoning. right or wrong. And, the question persists: Would Ford have pardoned Nixon if he had known for sure that it would cost him any chance to win an elected term as President?
That there was a quid pro quo, spoken or unspoken, I have no doubt. This is how the game is played. However, I believe that Nixon should have been forced to admit his complicity and responsibility in the crimes of Watergate and other activities before the pardon was granted.
I'm afraid that a precedent may have been set. From now on, any President can "get away with murder" if he is certain that the person who succeeds him in office will grant a pardon, no matter what the circumstances.
This is not good.