We fully recognize that the Constitution provides that commutation decisions are a matter of presidential prerogative and we do not comment on the exercise of that prerogative.
We comment only on the statement in which the President termed the sentence imposed by the judge as “excessive.� The sentence in this case was imposed pursuant to the laws governing sentencings which occur every day throughout this country. In this case, an experienced federal judge considered extensive argument from the parties and then imposed a sentence consistent with the applicable laws. It is fundamental to the rule of law that all citizens stand before the bar of justice as equals. That principle guided the judge during both the trial and the sentencing.
Although the President’s decision eliminates Mr. Libby’s sentence of imprisonment, Mr. Libby remains convicted by a jury of serious felonies, and we will continue to seek to preserve those convictions through the appeals process.
Is he signalling this is the only course of action he will take? What about turning over all the documents to Congressional investigators, which should have already been done? Immunizing Libby and forcing him to tell the truth now that he cannot use the 5th Amendment (he was convicted, you know?) Sounds to me like Congress may be the last or best bet for the public to pressure. Their approval rating was already low they are scared to death of the populace, it’s time to put that fear to work.
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