How much influence does the President of the United States have on convictions

The President of the United States has no direct influence on convictions or court rulings because the US legal system is based on the separation of powers. The courts operate independently of the executive branch. However, the President has the constitutional authority to pardon prisoners or reduce their sentences. This so-called "pardon" applies only to convictions made at the federal level - not to crimes that fall under the law of individual states.

This power is not tied to congressional approval and is often used in symbolic cases to send political or humanitarian signals. Pardons at the state level, on the other hand, are the responsibility of the governors of the respective states.