Which of the following describes a power strictly reserved for the President?

Granting pardons and reprieves is a power strictly reserved for the President as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. This power allows the President to forgive individuals for federal offenses and to commute sentences, effectively relieving them of legal penalties. It is a unique presidential prerogative that does not require any consent from Congress or involvement from other branches of government, making it exclusively presidential in nature.

In contrast, declaring war without Congressional consent is generally not under the sole authority of the President, as the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. Ratifying treaties is also a shared power; while the President can negotiate treaties, they require ratification by a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Appointing Supreme Court justices, while predominantly a presidential power, requires the advice and consent of the Senate, meaning the Senate must approve the nominations made by the President. Thus, the power to grant pardons and reprieves stands out as a distinct and unshared authority of the President.