If you're aware of the text then why'd you claim the courts' interpretation gave the President the power of pardon? If you're aware of the text, why do you consider any interpretation except the obvious one as correct? If you're aware of the text, why'd you say

There has always been an understanding that the office of the president is above those laws

Instead of citing any specific thing? I'll tell you why on that last one: it's because it's never been tested, so it hasn't been interpreted this way before, and this SCOTUS is the only court in the history of the country that would declare an intepretation exactly opposite of what the Constitution says (disagree? Find another instance of it, under another SCOTUS, to prove me wrong).

You are right that

They also have the authority to alter the rules temporarily via executive orders.

But this is yet another reason the President should never have reason to outright break the law. There is no reason the President should ever have to break the law, and I will hold that position until such time as I get a satisfactory retort otherwise.