By definition, the exercise of clemency is an act of mercy, not the meting out of mathematical justice. President Obama’s decision to commute the sentence of Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning is a defensible use of that power. The obvious argument for mercy is Manning’s recent ordeal as a transgender woman in a men’s military prison. In 2013, when Manning was sentenced, the Los Angeles Times said this in an editorial:“In sentencing Army Pfc. Those who would oppose Obama’s act of clemency are straining the quality of mercy.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 17, 2017 23:44 UTC