WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Tuesday said his decision to commute a jail term for convicted ex-vice presidential aide I. Lewis Libby was "very difficult."
Speaking to reporters in Washington after visiting wounded veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bush was asked if he would rule out an eventual full pardon for Libby, convicted of perjury for lying to investigators trying to learn who leaked a CIA agent's name.
"As to the future, I rule nothing in or nothing out," Bush said. He said the commutation decision was "very difficult" and he considered it "very seriously."
Libby had been sentenced to 30 months in prison, two years probation and a $250,000 fine.
"I felt the punishment was severe, so I made a decision that would commute his sentence, but leave in place a serious fine and probation," Bush said.
The decision was met by widespread criticism from Democrats in Washington, who claimed it was unconstitutional and an example of political cronyism.
