Just Results

The recent string of indictments of Bush Administration officials has only proven what the majority of the country has long been speculating: the current Administration is marred in corruption. However, we are pleasantly surprised that corruption of our leaders has not led to corruption of our judicial system. The recent indictment of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby is further evidence of the soundness of the legal process.

Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s top aide, resigned Friday after a federal grand jury indicted him on five charges related to the leaked identity of CIA Agent Valerie Plame. The charges include one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of perjury, and two counts of making false statements. The indictment comes soon after the arrest of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who was charged with conspiracy to violate state election laws and money laundering, felony counts that forced him to step aside as majority leader.

Largely responsible for the successes of our legal system in the case of Libby is special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald, who has done a superb job of conducting a fair and neutral investigation into the leak of Plame thus far. Compared to the viciously partisan investigation of former President Bill Clinton by Kenneth Starr in 1999, Fitzgerald has maintained an air of professionalism and has not let partisan pressure get in the way of his investigation. He has been thorough in his inquiries, and amidst pressure from the media and politicians alike he has leaked nothing—even though such leaks would have certainly put him in the spotlight. We can only hope that there are more honest and ethical people like him in the judicial system, and in politics at large.

Yet, while the judicial system has proven itself, our leaders have not. After vigilantly campaigning with messages of moral authority and values, the Bush Administration has found itself marred in prolific corruption. The recent events surrounding Libby are unfortunately not isolated occurrences, but rather just another black mark on the administration’s recent record. We should not have to rely on a system and a commendable prosecutor to weed out corruption; corruption should not exist in the first place. Honesty is an expectation that we have of our leaders, and it is time for them to live up to it.

However, when occurrences of wrongdoings become evident, those involved must be held publicly accountable. President Bush promised earlier in the year that he would fire anyone found to be involved with the leak of Plame’s identity. Yet despite the recent investigation and admissions of guilt, he has yet to ask for one resignation. This is not surprising considering the Administration’s consistent failure to responsibly deal with internal incompetence or corruption—neither John Ashcroft nor Donald Rumsfeld were ever asked to resign when such action would have demonstrated appropriate accountability. Even Libby—who resigned himself—received no official calls from the White House. It is unfortunate that we cannot trust our President to be a man of his word and must rely on Fitzgerald in order for justice to be served.

But while we are eagerly anticipating answers and admissions of guilt, we must trust Fitzgerald in his ability to fairly finish his investigation. We disagree with the Democratic Senate leadership that the resignations of Karl Rove or Cheney are warranted before Fitzgerald’s findings are complete. However, at the conclusion of the current investigation, all those found to be guilty—even tangentially—must come forward with explanations and resignations. This is the least that can be done after such reprehensible behavior on the part of our leaders.

This is a disgraceful time for our country as a whole, and it is not a time for the Democrats to bask in the glory of Republican corruption. All of our leaders must be united in an effort to seek fairness in this investigation and to restore integrity to our government. This need not be a partisan issue—both Republicans and Democrats alike should be able to expect that their leaders are honest and reliable. If corruption were to be exposed in the Democratic party—as it was with the Lewinsky scandal—we must be equally ashamed and ask of our leaders the same thing. We put great trust in our elected officials, and when that trust is betrayed questions must be asked and justice must be served.