Former President George W. Bush said on Wednesday during an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo that he was happy for Scooter Libby after President Donald Trump pardoned him last week.
"Mr. President, let me ask you a little about the news because, of course, last week we saw President Trump pardon Scooter Libby," Bartiromo asked.
"Yeah good," Bush responded.
President Donald Trump has pardoned I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former aide to former Vice President Dick Cheney, of convictions related to his 2007 trial.
"Your reaction?" Martiromo asked.
"I am happy for Scooter and his family," Bush answered.
Bartiromo then asked Bush if he saw the Wall Street Journal editorial board headline that described Libby as the solider "left behind on the battlefield."
"Did you see the the Wall Street Journal headline saying Scooter Libby was the soldier left on the battlefield?" Bartiromo asked.
"No, I didn't see that. I am sure he's got some friends in the editorial board there, and you know, as I said, I am happy for his family and for Scooter," Bush said.
Libby was the only individual charged in the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame to syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak in 2003. Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald learned early on in his investigation that the leak had come from Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, a critic of the war in Iraq. Armitage faced no consequences for his disclosure, yet Fitzgerald charged Libby with making false statements, perjury, and obstruction of justice. After being found guilty, Libby was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and community service.
President George W. Bush commuted Libby's prison sentence in 2007 but did not issue a full pardon. As a result, Libby was forced to pay the penalty and perform the community service.