House Leaders to President Bush: Uphold the Rule of Law, Do Not Misuse the Public Trust

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 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.

Following is the text of the letter:

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