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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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House Leaders to President Bush: Uphold the Rule of Law, Do Not Misuse the Public Trust
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Democratic Caucus Chair Robert Menendez, and Democratic Caucus Vice Chair James E. Clyburn sent a letter to President Bush today, urging him not to give special treatment to anyone under investigation regarding the CIA leak case.
The text of the letter is below:
November 8, 2005
The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
At the heart of the criminal indictment of I. Lewis Libby, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Cheney, are indications of a serious and reckless disregard for the public trust. We write to you today to request you make efforts to restore this public trust, with a pledge to the American people that no one under investigation in connection with the misuse of classified information involving the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame will receive special treatment from the White House during the course of the investigation.
Specifically, we urge you to pledge that you will not use your ability to issue a Presidential pardon to any person prosecuted for, or convicted of, a crime in connection with the disclosure of Ms. Plame’s association with the CIA. Anything less is a misuse of the public trust.
Under our system of law, all are innocent until proven guilty. But another fundamental tenet is that of equal treatment under the law. It is only by allowing the special prosecutor’s essential investigations to continue without interference, and abiding by the results of any legal determinations based on the facts of those investigations, that we can reassure the American people that the White House officials are not above the law.
Perjury and obstruction of justice are serious crimes. The allegation that civil servants, working for the highest offices in our country, abused the public trust is a black mark upon your Administration. We ask that you uphold the rule of law by making clear that no one who has been charged, or is being investigated in the Plame matter, will be pardoned.
We look forward to your earliest response on this vital matter.
Respectfully,
Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader
Steny Hoyer
Democratic Whip
Robert Menendez
House Democratic Caucus, Chair
James E. Clyburn
House Democratic Caucus, Vice Chair
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
