Blog | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
George Bush already commuted Scooter Libby's sentence. Now, in the wake of the mandatory disbarment of Scooter Libby, questions have arisen about a possible presidential pardon. On CNN.com, CREW's Melanie Sloan weighed in:
Unlike a presidential pardon which wipes a person's crimes off the books, Bush's commutation of Libby's sentence only means that he does not have to serve the prison sentence. He is still considered guilty of the crime he was convicted.
The president stopped short of an outright pardon, noting that "our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth."
The clemency grant raised eyebrows among legal observers and prompted criticism from Democrats.
William Jeffress, one of the attorneys who helped defend Libby in the criminal trial, told CNN, "We are not surprised by the appeals court decision, because clearly under the rules this is automatic."
Jeffress could not say whether Libby might apply for reinstatement if he is pardoned. He gave no indication such a pardon is anticipated.
Although the White House has declined to say whether Bush might go beyond his decision to commute Libby's jail time, both Bush and Cheney have expressed strong support for Libby.
Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told CNN a presidential pardon could indeed open the door for Libby to try to regain his license to practice law.
"Whether it would be granted is another matter," she said, given ethics standards that a bar would normally consider.
Sloan's group is pursuing a civil suit on behalf of Plame Wilson, claiming damage from White House disclosures of her identity and connection to the CIA.
Although the suit has been rejected by a federal court, the group Friday will file a brief ahead of an appeals argument May 9.
