Lewis "Scooter" Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. The former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.
"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison."
Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term.
Reaction was harsh from Democrats.
"As Independence Day nears, we're reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said through a spokesman.
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