Bush commutes two sentences

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 2:11 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Courts, Pete Williams

From NBC's Pete Williams
President Bush today granted clemency to two former Border Patrol agents -- Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos -- who were convicted for shooting a Mexican drug dealer. Their pardons became a big cause among conservatives, especially as the debate over illegal immigration heated up.

What Bush did today was commute their sentences, but he did so before he received a recommendation from the Justice Department's pardon attorney. "The Office of the Pardon Attorney was still in the process of reviewing the clemency requests from Compean and Ramos at the time these commutations were granted," a Justice official says.

In fact, the Justice Department was still reviewing the applications and had not made a recommendation to the White House.

Today's action brings to 182 the total number of pardons and grants of clemency during the eight years of President Bush's term. That compares with 459 during Bill Clinton's eight years and 406 during Reagan's eight years. In short, this president has used the pardon power less than any of his modern predecessors.

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Comments

THey should have been pardoned, not just commuted. Nothing like waiting till the last minute, but at least he did it, finally.

New Independent (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:17 PM)

Here is the reason that we have pardons. These two guys got a very raw deal. They're not contributors to Bush or the GOP either. Nice move W.

Parson M., NY NY (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:20 PM)

[but he [Bush] did so before he received a recommendation from the Justice Department's pardon attorney.]

That's called making an executive decision. Obama would have told the pollsters to run a poll so he could figure out what to do.

Poll Light (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:28 PM)

YES!! I am sooooo happy for these men and their families. It was such a travesty. I just wonder why it will take up to two more months to release them. Haven't they spent waaaaay too much time in jail already?

Lani Hanrahan (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:30 PM)

Good for him. He did the right thing.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:30 PM)

As long as he doesn't pardon the former Governor of Illinois Georger Ryan. He's exactly where he should be.....behind bars.....warming the seat for the current Governor.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:31 PM)

They should have never even been arrested, much less convicted.

E from Tennessee (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:36 PM)

I don't know the complete details regarding Compean and Ramos to make an educated comment as to whether or not these pardons were appropriate. I have read that they were convicted for shooting an unarmed drug dealer in the a-- as he attempted to flee across the border, and for messing with some of the evidence at the scene (bullet shell casings).

While we cannot condone law enforcement officers shooting unarmed persons I find I have no sympathy for this particular individual whose career included the destruction of many teen lives here in the States by way of his drug dealing. Too bad Compean and Ramos did not aim a little higher and put this guy out of his misery permanently.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:38 PM)

[In short, this president has used the pardon power less than any of his modern predecessors.]
--I think that we can all remember how, 8 years ago, Pres. Bush came to the presidency by saying that he would act in a manner that was dignified for the office he held--an obvious dig at Pres. Clinton's sexual indiscretions. I have not doubt there will be a number of vitriolic posts on this topic, and I agree that it is easy to dislike Bush/see everything in the-opposite-of-rose-colored glasses when a topic involves Bush. But as of yet, he has not been caught with certain indiscretions and he is not making a string of very controversial pardons. I think that is a good thing, and I just wanted to make note of it. It's easy to hate, but hard to see the good.

--Granted, I am not too familiar with pardon controversy, but from my vantage point, it is a good thing.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:38 PM)

What took him so long? Oh! I foergot. He doesn't read the paper nor watch the news. And public opinion polls be damned. What an idiot. Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.

Judy in AZ (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:43 PM)

Hooray!!!

Now give them back thier jobs, guns, and ammo.

Put them in charge of training other border agents.

Enough namby-pamby BS when it comes to protecting the border.

BUILD THE DAMN WALL AND ARM IT WITH MEN WILLING TO SHOOT!

Let God sort them out... (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:51 PM)

YES!!!!!! I am so glad.

Aimee Allen, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:52 PM)

Still playing with guns...sad

BJ, CA (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:56 PM)

THANK GOD!!!! About time!!! The idea that a drug dealer was given all sorts of perks over our border patrol agents has been a huge miscarriage of justice. The jailing of these men has been a clear reason that most Americans have little or no confidence in our legal system.

Cheryl Reynolds, Deep River, CT (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:57 PM)

Sounds like Bush made his mind up and the rule of law had nothing to do with it......what is new?

New Indi (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:57 PM)

This is a very nobel thing for Bush to do. Did the agents do wrong yes, they have lost a lot. The right to vote, there jobs, and at least two years of there life. They shot a drug dealer. Some one who was going to sell drugs in this nation.

Art Garcia, Honolulu, HI (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 2:59 PM)

Finally, Justice for these men! Bush goes out on a high-note in my book

Brian Williams, Northridge, CA (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:15 PM)

Finally! It seems that this is one issue in which conservatives and liberals can agree...

K Reid, Lima, OH (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:27 PM)

Bush is a moron and will always be one. It will be great just to have him out of the White House. Now we can ALL get to work!

MCJ Colorado (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:28 PM)

At last, President Bush did something positive! Too bad he didn't start sooner!

Mike Groshong, McMinnville, Or (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:29 PM)

I am so happy that this has finally happened. It should have happened a long time ago. I'm glad Bush at least did the right thing here. How thrilled their families must be. I can not imagine! I pray they will have a great reunion and I'm sure they'll have alot of interviews and show offers!

Crystal (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:33 PM)

Thank you President Bush. These two border patrol agents needed your help. The PC Police were out to get them big time. I'm only sorry you waited this long.

Tombstone Shadow (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:35 PM)

The only thing Bush did that was almost right. They never should have been jailed in the first place. They should have been awarded medals and promoted, but not in the state of lawlessness that this country is in these days.

Mark Maye (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:38 PM)

At least he didn't pardon or commute our current jailed ex-governor of Illinois, Gov. Ryan....maybe Blitheringidiot will be his roomie?

No pardons for Govs., IL (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:38 PM)

I'm so grateful that Bush did the right thing in this case! Thank you, Pres. Bush, for being an honorable president!

Linda K, Fenton, MO (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:39 PM)

Agents Ramos and Compean’s conviction was not only a gross miscarriage of justice and a violation of common sense, but was also unconstitutional and, therefore, unlawful, as the article linked below argues in great detail:

The Blessings of Liberty

http://geocities.com/readerswrite/commentaries/Blessings_of_the_Liberty.htm

And to all those who are (wrongly) suggesting that an unusually harsh sentence was necessary to prevent abuse of power by Border Patrol agents, consider this.

Mistreatment of border violators, and this includes drug smugglers who shoot at BP agents, are as rare as total eclipses of the moon, and once they happen, they are being reported and broadcasted coast to coast on all major TV networks.

On the other hand, border violations are overwhelming the existing means of enforcement and are on the rise. Up to four million intruders a year illegally crosses the American-Mexican border headed north. This, however, is not news that you would see on MSNBC or CBS, and the perpetrators, if at al caught, are being given a slap on a wrist for the damage that they have inflicted to our country.

Deterrence of criminal acts is one of the main objectives of the punishment. Judging from the results, punishments of border enforcement personnel must have been more than adequate deterrent, while punishments of the border violators were not.

So, if you are so concerned about lawbreaking that may get off hands, soon, the logical conclusion should be to go after the border violators, and not the Border Patrol agents, with harsh punishment that would discourage others for disrespecting our country, its border, and the laws.

A Reader (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:41 PM)

Probably the only two intelligent sentences he ever handled back to back in 8 years. :-)

JT (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:46 PM)

I have prayed many, many prayers that these two agents be pardoned. At this point, I am just so happy they will be out of prison, whether they are pardoned or not. I believe the only reason they were not pardoned is that Bush is a buddy of Johnny Sutton and Bush did not want to totally go against Mr. Sutton's wishes. Whatever - my prayer (and those of many others) have been answered and they will both soon be out of prison.

Carol Knight, Llano, Texas (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:48 PM)

So much for the rule of law. Looks like you can break the law and the President will give you a free pass..

Roger (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:50 PM)

Hey Judy in Arizona, there isn't much in the way of real journalism going on out there to warrant reading or watching. After this "joke" of campaign coverage, I have no respect for the majority of media - - with the exception of Fox News, real journalism is dead.

Bonney, Howell, MI (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:53 PM)

Hey Cons, Notice that libs as well as cons are praising your boy for this. When he does good he deserves and gets praise. When he screws up he gets criticism. That's how it works. If Obama makes similar blunders we'll criticize him too. Nothing peronal. In a democracy it is a good thing to criticize leaders. Democracy thrives on dissent and difference of opinion. No goon squad here to make one dissappear for daring to criticize fearless leader.

moir (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 3:57 PM)

I have followed this case from the begining to the final end,it's about time. These Guys got imprisoned for doing the job they were hired to do. THANK YOU GEORGE W!

Donald Platten Crestline,Ca (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:06 PM)

I personally feel this has gone on too long. How can we as a nation standby and consider this drug dealer rights were being violated. I feel Bush prolonged the process so he could try and go out on a good note.....NOT

Haward Keneard, Orlando Florida (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:07 PM)

Chas, Chicago, il (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:07 PM)

You might think that he is an idiot, but I am willing to wager that he can spell "forgot".

Greg Stapleton, Elizabethtown, KY (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:12 PM)

They shot an unarmed man in his back, then tried to cover their tracks. They should have been arrested and convicted... just like Joe Horn for shooting 2 people in the back AFTER calling 911. This is NOT the old west.

What's it like in the peaceful, utopian town of Chicago, where law abiding citizens can't own guns, but thugs can? Give me the Old West over PC Chicago any day, moron

Robert Clark Tampa, Fl(CENTCOM) (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:29 PM)

Great! That was the WORSE thing he could have done. Those men belong in prison! And if anyone out there thinks the victim deserved it because we call him a "drug dealer", you better read your Constitution again and try to remember the way REAL Americans are supposed to treat the accused.

PReed (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:36 PM)

It's about time!

JoAnn, Moundsville, WV (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:41 PM)

to: So much for the rule of law. Looks like you can break the law and the President will give you a free pass..
and: They shot an unarmed man in his back, then tried to cover their tracks. They should have been arrested and convicted... just like Joe Horn for shooting 2 people in the back AFTER calling 911. This is NOT the old west.

You are right that they should have been tried and convicted. They discharged their firearms in the line of duty (probably rightfully) but then made the mistake of trying to cover it up. This is what they should have been charged with and convicted of. But they weren't, the US attorney out their made an example out of them and charged them with "using their firearms in the commission of a felony". They were mis-charged and way over sentenced. W finally did the right thing!

TC, Arkport, NY (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:41 PM)

just wait at 11:59 pm on the dot scooter libby will
be pardoned having never spent a second in jail for
his crimes !!! i guess being cheney's boy is PRICELESS
!!!

roger smith augusta ga (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:44 PM)

Put police on the street corner w/ several thousand rounds and let them shoot anyone they feel needs shot. That's justice.

Roy Bean, Hayfork, Texas (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:48 PM)

Thank God HE finally done something right!!!

Mary Ann, Montgomery, AL (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 4:51 PM)

Hey Roger. I hope your children were not affected by the drugs the guy they shot was selling. The "rule of law" you elude to , says his "wares" were illegal.

When a cop, any cop, says "halt or I'll shoot", do so. There will not always be a law-making judge around to bend the Constitution for you.

Rob, Cali-FUBAR-nia (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:00 PM)

Now Obama, it's up to you to finish the job. Pardon these men! Don't wait until your second day!

Howard, Homestead, FL (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:03 PM)

The two border agents believed that the assaliant was armed, and there is no doubt that he usually would be. I don't know if the agents failed to follow proper proceedure by picking up the shell casings, but they were accused of trying to cover up evidence.
Personally I believe an drug dealer in the united states illegaly and commiting crimes while here deserves to be shot.

Michael Guymon (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:11 PM)

Hooray! Better late than never....they should have been given medals instead of going to prison!

desertrose (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:11 PM)

I have prayed many times for their release. I have read much on this subject and know that they got a "raw deal". I'm am happy that they will be let out and that Bush finally did the right thing. I did not agree with everything Bush did but he was still the best choice at the time - no doubt about it. And - all you Bush haters - good luck - now who will you hate since his term is over? Your problems are just that - yours - no one else is to blame but you!!

Christal, Tomabll, Tx (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:28 PM)

These should have been full pardons and they are coming a little late. They should never have been allowed a day in jail for doing their jobs.

VVade (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:29 PM)

I think that as information becomes more and more available that there are times that our media should start to remember that those gentlemen standing at our borders are the final line of defense into our great nation. when we as a society start to condem those men for protecting it then we become just as guilty as those drug runners. So to those who are standing there and protecting our borders I say "good job and thank you....."

mark tulsa oklahoma (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 5:51 PM)

Thank god they were finally pardoned. Bush should of done this 4 years ago and it is sad that they had to suffer for this long. They are heroes because they were defending our country. The illegal alien broke our laws we owe him NOTHING. Bush only pardoned these men because of the pressure from the American people. He may think he will walk out of the White House with his head held high, but we all know the truth!

Caroline, Chino, Ca (Sent Monday, January 19, 2009 6:03 PM)

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