In a letter today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and Constitution Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler asked Vice President Dick Cheney to recuse himself from involvement in issues regarding Scooter Libby's criminal prosecution and potential pardon--and to "refrain from further public comment on the prosecution."
Apparently, Cheney told God and everyone that Libby's sentencing was unjust, prompting the letter that also says:
"The Executive Branch must speak through one voice on matters of criminal prosecution. We would hope a sitting Vice President would not suggest that the Government seeks any result other than that sought by the prosecutors representing the Department of Justice, or imply that the decisions of the trial court - both as to the validity of the verdict or the proper sentence should be undone." (See letter)
I see Conyers' point. Then again, Libby's prosecution is a matter of public concern. It's been years since I took Constitutional Law, but I suspect that Cheney has a First Amendment right to talk about public matters.
See also:
- Advice to Bush re Libby's pardon: Wait until Xmas, Like Dad Did (BNP)
- Nadler Puts Cheney in His Sights (The Next Hurrah)
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