Conyers and Nadler Call for Cheney Recusal from Libby Pardon Discussions
June 07, 2007 -
http://judiciary.house.gov/newscenter.aspx?A=816(Washington, DC)- Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and Constitution Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler sent a letter to Vice President Dick Cheney, asking him to recuse himself from any involvement in issues related to the I. Scooter Libby criminal prosecution and potential pardon.
"This request is prompted, in part, by your reported comments in which you stated your hope that 'our system will return a final result consistent with what we know of this fine man,'" the Members wrote. "Accordingly, your comments may be seen as and blurring the distinction between the institutional interests of the Office of Vice President and your personal interests in the ultimate results of the prosecution. "
Conyers and Nadler expressed concern that evidence presented at trial linked the vice president to the case and, as a result, his statements in the post-trial process are inappropriate.
"I would hope a sitting Vice-President would not ordinarily suggest the Government seeks any result other than that sought by the line prosecutors of 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," the letter futher stated.
The full text of the letter is available at:
http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/Conyers-Nadler070607.pdf.