@mkess101
I know times have changed since I was a kid but we are talking about old fuckers here. Back then, I had to go to "the Catholic school". The principle had what looked like a cricket bat mounted on two hooks on the back wall of his office. Any kid who saw it knew what it was for.
One time, a guy whose brother was in the NHL (plus he lived right across from the school) and thought he was hot shit got dragged off the playground during recess for being a shithead instead and they disappeared inside . Never caused a stir after that though the repercussions we're hard on the principle/principal also, but that's a story for another time.
Old Catholics gave no fucks about contrition without penance back in those days.
Point being, if Joe doesn't pardon him, I don't think it's a political decision; that's all.