Can the president pardon treason?

As President, George Washington ordered the pardon of two men who had been sentenced to death after being charged in the Whiskey Rebellion (1794). A modern case of a US citizen pardoned after being tried and convicted of treason was the pardon of "Tokyo Rose" (Iva Ikuko Toguri) by President Gerald Ford in 1977. read more

The pardons issued by the President cannot be limited or controlled in any way by legislative action[i]. In most of the states, the governor has the same pardoning power regarding state crimes. However, the governor can not grant pardon to persons convicted of treason or criminal contempt of court[ii]. read more

There are two circumstances in which someone can be charged with treason under the Constitution -- narrow by design of the founding fathers. First, you can commit treason by "levying war" against the United States and second you can commit treason by giving aid and comfort to an "enemy" of the United States. read more