George Bush Obstructs Justice

by emptywheel

Well, George did it. Made sure that Scooter wouldn't flip rather than do jail time. He commuted Libby's sentence, guaranteeing not only that Libby wouldn't talk, but retaining Libby's right to invoke the Fifth.

This amounts to nothing less than obstruction of justice.

Here's Bush's statement, in which a guy who is pushing to restore minimum sentencing laws says that Libby's sentencing--which was the minimum according to the guidelines, was too tough:

Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.

I respect the jury's verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.

Update: Here's an article about how the Bush Administration is pushing to restore minimum sentencing guidelines. And don't forget that in AL, a judge has just upped the sentence against Don Siegelman.

Update: Here's a link to the post showing that the research into the Wilsons went into overdrive as soon as Bush expressed a concern about the Niger allegations.

Comments

[PeterB]

Yes. Justice denied. Raw absolute power being exercised ruthlessly.

[Gary]

Time to get Scooter disbarred, stat. Scooter at Hudson, Wolfowitz at AEI, now all we need is Doug Feith at Heritage.

I'm going to go throw up now.

[Ishmael]

I agree that Scooter can avoid pleading the 5th while his appeals remain alive, but not afterwards. Also, Bush can still pardon Scooter later, on the way out the door, via impeachment or otherwise. The clemency power is not a one-shot deal, one mercy per customer. This is Sat Night Massacre big, IMHO. I think the impeachment machine just got a jump-start, and not just in prog-blog land.

[Former Fed]

Impeach NOW!!

[CMike]

Libby will lose his right to take the Fifth if he is given immunity by either Fitzgerald or the Congress. It would be hard for even this president to explain an invocation of executive privilege to keep Libby from testifying about his crimes in front of congress, don't you think?

[Woodhall Hollow]

Bush is a coward, and he just proved it.

[lukery]

sad to hear, marcy et a l

[Ishmael]

Also Marcy, based on your other observations today, could PF resurrect the espionage act charges, there would be no double jeopardy to prevent the prosecution. PF must be having some agonizing decision-making this week.

[P J Evans]

I just wrote Boxer, Feinstein, and Big Hank, pointing out that it's Impeachment Time. Hank got the long list of reasons, including the non-compliance with subpoenas and the appointment of incompetents.

I may become less p*ssed off in, oh, two or three years. My pitchfork is now be-ribboned and ready to use.

[P J Evans]

By the way, if Shrub is going to use the 'excessive prison time' argument, shouldn't he at least have waited until Libby had served at least a day, just to make it look nice?

[*xyz]

So thirty months is excessive?

Does that mean that 0 days is just right?

[tekel]

I never thought he'd actually do it. Does this mean that Bush gave the leak order? Why else would he taint himself like this?

[sponson]

We are now going to see whether Patrick Fitzgerald is just a very skillful lawyer, or a principled instrument of Justice.

[*xyz]

So Bush has made his move.

I'm very curious to see how we, our elected representatives, the CIA, and Patrick Fitzgerald respond.

[Maybeex]

but retaining Libby's right to invoke the Fifth.

I agree that Scooter can avoid pleading the 5th while his appeals remain alive, but not afterwards

The thing is, he hasn't taken the fifth even when he has a right to. If the investigation were to continue, why would he not tell the exact same story he has already told?

[Ishmael]

Let's not forget, Bush was the trigger man on the Plame-out - with Cheney playing him on like Iago. This is real Nixon, obstruction of justice territory, and the US v. Nixon criminal investigation exception to executive privilege will apply, and PF can keep things going. Bush had much to gain from the commutation, and we need to get this message out - cui bono from the commutation as least as much Scooter?

[spud]

Listen to this bullshit from shrub:

"My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting."

No mention, no sympathy for the actual victims in the case. It's all about poor libby.

[Frank Probst]

Wow. Didn't think he'd actually do it. Your move, Mr Fitzgerald. I have little hope that our Congress will do the right thing.

[CMike]

xyz asks:

...why would he not tell the exact same story he has already told?

If, under oath, he continues to "tell the exact same story" he will be committing new crimes of prosecutable perjury.

[Frank Probst]

Memo to the White House Press Corpse: The "ongoing investigation" and "until the appeals process is completed" dodges are now null and void. Please start asking questions now.

[emptywheel]

Ishmael

I was wondering just that, whether he held those in reserve for precisely this moment.

I'd do it. But then again, I'm perhaps more zealous than the runaway PatFitz

[freepatriot]

I just called my congresscritter, and the conversation devolved into a screaming match

and if that putz on the phone thinks I'm pissed off, he's got another thing coming

I don't get mad

I get even

it's time we put the "Bluedog Democrats" on the endangered species list

[Jukesgrrl]

Our country is a dictatorship being run from a man-sized safe. It has to stop. Waxman, Leahy??? God knows, we can't turn to the Justice Department, which obviously was the plan all along.

Sponson, could you elaborate on your comment, "We are now going to see whether Patrick Fitzgerald is just a very skillful lawyer, or a principled instrument of Justice."? I'm not a lawyer, so I don't get what Fitzgerald's move could be.

[irene]

geez this is sickening. not shocking, but sickening.

about that excessive 30 month sentence... i'm waiting for Bush is going to commute Gov. Siegelman's sentence. if 30 months is excessive, what's 7 years? so anytime now...

[eladnar]

The shrub confesses and declares a general challenge to all those who are responsible for the administration of justice in the United States. It is the clearest test of Congress and the Courts.