Maryland congressmen reacted with outrage and disappointment to President Bush?s decision to commute the 2 1/2-year prison sentence for Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney?s former aide, in his conviction for lying to federal prosecutors.
“It is very disappointing that the president has chosen to substitute his judgment for that of the trial judge,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of southern Maryland. “The president continues to demonstrate that he rejects accountability for wrongdoing in his administration.”
On WBAL radio Tuesday, Rep. Al Wynn of Prince George?s County called the commutation “absolutely outrageous. It?s incredible.”
Part of Bush?s justification for eliminating the prison time, though not the $250,000 fine, was Libby?s long career in public service.
A jury found that Libby did not tell the truth about the leaking of information that Valerie Plame was a CIA agent.
A “shocked” Sen. Ben Cardin called Bush?s curtailing of Libby?s prison term “a travesty that send the message that the White House and its employees are above the law and do not have to face the consequences of their illegal action.”
Rep. Elijah Cummings said the president?s decision to give Libby “a ?get out of jail free? card sends the wrong message on justice” ? “that if you have money and/or friends in high places you will not be held accountable for your actions.” Cummings said committee hearings he took part in earlier this year “made it clear” that Libby “was guilty of the felonies of which he was accused.”
Republican Rep. Wayne Gilchrest said, “I don?t think I would have pardoned or commuted Libby at this point. For me, there are a just a million questions about the war” and the run-up to the war that Libby and the White House orchestrated, including unanswered questions about weapons of mass destruction and nuclear material.
Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich, who exercised executive powers to pardon Marylanders more than any recent governor, told WBAL radio that he was not going to second-guess President Bush?s decision.
“This is a case that very few people understand,” the former congressman said.
Ehrlich pointed out that many journalists who testified in Libby?s trial also could not recall conversations.
“I can?t remember what I did last week,” he said.
