Conyers On Prosecuting Bush Team: "Stay Tuned"

Rep. John Conyers, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is still invested in prosecuting members of the Bush administration once they leave office.

In an interview on the "Bill Press Show" Friday, the Michigan Democrat floated the notion that the Bush team's illegal wiretapping, torture, detention, and other practices could land some members in an international tribunal.

"I don't want to get too speculative on that, because it's still under review," said Conyers on the radio show. "Now, remember, violation of the federal criminal code doesn't end because you leave office. If a crime has been committed and there seems to be reasonable evidence that it did get committed, there's nothing for a person to be prosecuted... Leaving office doesn't free you up from what you may have done wrong ... Anyone that leaves office, including [the] President ... there's the World Court ... They have tribunals ... This thing is not over with. As they say: Stay tuned."

Conyer has made similar proclamations before. The feisty, long-serving Democrat advocated impeaching Bush but was dissuaded from the notion by Democratic leadership.

Nevertheless, his comments touch a sensitive nerve for many progressives. What, exactly, should the incoming administration do to right the wrongs of the Bush years?

Both Conyers and Barack Obama have insisted that any unconstitutional act will be reversed in the early years of the forthcoming administration. But Obama has walked far more lightly on the topic of holding Bush and his team legally accountable for their policies. In an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News during the heat of the Democratic primary, he said he would ask his new Attorney General to "immediately review the information that's already there" and determine if an inquiry is warranted.

But, as reporter Will Bunch noted, "he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as 'a partisan witch hunt.' However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because 'nobody is above the law.'"

Comments

[Okieborn]

Rep. Conyers,
Lead The Charge Sir !!
America Is Waiting for that good old fashion word !!!
Justice !!!

[Sparty1]

I'm not holding my breath on this one. This is from the same panel that still hasn't had the criminal Karl Rove arrested for disregarding a Congressional subpoena.

[zest]

International tribunal sounds like the way to go. The Dems shouldn't have to take the flack for prosecuting the war crimes committed by the Bush administration, they've got many other dire situations to handle, lets not distract them. Let Bush, Cheney etal thumb their noses at an international tribunal that finds them guilty in absentia, thus making them virtual prisoners within their own country.

[MissingAmerica]

We already know there was "willful criminality". The proof is out there that Bush is saying one thing but did quite another. The proof is out there that he did indeed know there were no WMDs at the time he sent Powell to unwittingly testify to the contrary. He have the proof that Iraq was no threat to us and that Bush/Cheney wanted to attack even before they took office. We have the proof of torture and Cheney has admitted that he authorized not only that, but admitted to authorizing the outing of Valerie Plame. That outing alone is treasonous and the man who took the fall did so on command of Cheney. Once they leave office, it is time to hold them responsible. I will indoeed stay tuned.

[hortonhearsawho2]

" Stay Tuned " That's it. Your using analog, do not have the new box yet, and your not sure if you will be ready before the switch to digital...considering how fast you guys work and all....Do we keep the analog and wait for you or get a digital t.v. and....forget about you.

[dnoon]

If you are on Facebook join the group "Support H.R. 104 to Establish Commission on War Powers and Civil Liberties" http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44163743542

[blueskybigstar]

Conyers, the people around you who have advised you against impeachment are corrupt and they need to be investigated just as much as the Bush administration. The only Republicans who are thriving right now are the ones in sheep's clothing.

[MayaBeach]

"as reporter Will Bunch noted, "he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide."

Bridging the partisan divide is fine, but at what cost to the Rule of Law? Obama should appoint independent counsel to look into the possibility of various crimes. To not do so sets an extremely dangerous precedent, and would erode a lot of the support he now has, and turn him into just another gasbag politician who never keeps promises. He got elected by people who want REAL change. To let Cheney/Bush and other cronies to skate unaccountable & free would be yet another crime. Most Americans I think, are convinced that high-ranking members of the Bush administration ARE guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors, and should be prosecuted for their actions. For someone who tried to sell hope to the American people, I hope that Obama doesn't let those who voted for that aren't let down by overly conciliatory efforts to "bridge the partisan divide."

I also sincerely hope that Obama keeps his promise to have the new Attorney General "immediately review the information that's already there". I will be pleasantly surprised if he does so, but don't hold your breath.

[greyseal in tampa]

This lame excuse for a president and many of his cabinet members are war criminals and have used the constitution for toilet paper. To let them go free for the purpose of "bridging the divide" is BS and cowardice of the highest order.

[Ranta]

I have a better title for Bush than " Worst President Ever".
How about, " First President Ever Thrown In Prison?"

[mona C]

Shredding the constitution,accountability,consequences prosecution, pleeeeeas!
Were was our outrage during the past 8 years, and what did we do?
Face it folks, we let it all happen.
If this had been done in Europe, particularly in France Bush would have been stoned out of
office in a day.
All we did was say o well, we'll vote them out of office. Not good enough.
God i miss the 60's.

[Johnnythegreat]

Bush/Cheney are Bin Laden's inside accomplices. Grab 'em get 'em Dems.

[madbear]

Our Congress is so LAME.....it has totally avoided its responsibilty to impeach Bush and Cheney for their crimes against Americans. Wexler was the only voice in Congress and Pelosi shut him down.

The World Court is the only body that will ever convict the criminal dual for their crimes againt humanity.

Our Congress and Courts will never act in acordence with the laws of our Country.

[readmewell22]

Maybe he can get our money back also, while he's at it..., I'd settle for half of it...like $350 BILLION!!!!

[BaseballMicky]

$350 BILLION????? How about the 8 TRILLION that W lost for our nation??????
Where did it all go?????......Halliburton,...Cheney......Rumsfield,....and the list goes on.......

[greyseal in tampa]

I don't even care about the money. It's the mass murder, destruction and trashing of our global reputation that I find deplorable. The people are guilty of treason.

[readmewell22]

WOW! This is the best news I've heard all year!!! Prosecute the monkeys!!!!
But let's get them out first ALL OF THEM nasty bugs, and get the nation back on track and get things settled to a simmer in the Middle East first. Then Go Get Em, and don't forget sneakySnake Cheney!