President Ford's Conditional Amnesty

Who did President Ford offer conditional amnesty to?

A. Deep Throat

B. Alexander Haig

C. Former President Richard Nixon

D. Vietnam era draft dodgers

Answer:

President Ford offered conditional amnesty to the Vietnam era draft dodgers.

President Gerald Ford offered conditional amnesty to Vietnam era draft dodgers, which allowed them to avoid criminal charges if they agreed to a period of public service. This amnesty was a significant political move following the divisive Vietnam War period.

Participants of the Vietnam war resistance who were required to commit to a period of public service could receive amnesty. This occurred against the backdrop of President Ford's controversial full pardon for Richard Nixon, which was one of his first actions as president after Nixon's resignation amidst the Watergate scandal.

A different type of clemency was extended by President Jimmy Carter who, in 1977, offered a full and complete pardon to draft dodgers without the condition of public service required by Ford's policy.