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The President issued a pardon to a former cabinet official for "all federal offenses committed in connection with the Harbor Contract Program from January 1 through June 30." The official had not yet been indicted when the pardon issued. A state later charged the official under state bribery law for the same conduct. Congress also began impeachment proceedings against the official, who had resigned two days before the pardon. In a separate national security matter, the President ordered naval forces to seize merchant ships of Country Y after Congress had authorized defensive patrols but expressly prohibited seizure of merchant ships unless Congress later approved that step. The President argued that the seizure was necessary as Commander in Chief.
Analyze the validity and scope of the pardon and the President's authority to order the ship seizures.