The Pardon of the Cajun Governor
Sergeant Foley
Well-known member
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: PRESIDENT WHITE PARDONS FORMER LOUISIANA GOVERNOR EDWIN W. EDWARDS (D) OF ALL CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS; THEREFORE ENDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
2:56 PM EST, Sunday, February 22, 1998
President White announcing his decision to pardon former Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D).
In an unusual move, President Mark W. White delivered midday Presidential Address to the Nation from the Oval Office of the White House on February 22nd. 2:56 PM EST, Sunday, February 22, 1998
President White announcing his decision to pardon former Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D).
He called in a handful of newsmen then on duty after attending church services. President White during his midday speech proceeded to drop a bombshell-------the announcement of unconditional pardon of former Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D)-------a decision he reached without consulting party leaders, members of the Louisiana congressional delegation, federal prosecutors or even the public.
Several members of the White House staff expressed their disgust by resigning immediately. Former United States Senator Dolph Briscoe (D-TX) and former US Treasury Secretary Llyod Bentsen, felt their words had been undermined because they had previously assured reporters and journalists that White wouldn't interfere with the federal investigations against Edwards.
White, who at his swearing-in speech, two months earlier had promised "openess and candor," was quickly deluged by phone calls, telegrams, angry letters denouncing his decision. Members of Congress in both political parties were angered both by the pardon and at not having been consulted in advance. The backlash within days and weeks escalated: especially federal prosecutors at the US Justice Department, whose investigation into Edwards was immediately null and void.
Back at the federal courthouse in New Orleans, Louisiana: Edwards addressed reporters who gathered outside expressing thanks to President White for sticking to his guns in pardoning him as well as being grateful to living out his life in the private sector.
Former Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) holding press conference outside the Federal Courthouse in New Orleans after learning of President White's bombshell decision to pardon him.
Bewildered that he should've become the center of the controversy for actions that he regarded as humanitarian, White could only repeat to critics that the pardon and the conditional amnesty both were "my honest and conscientious effort to healing the wounds for the people of the State of Louisiana."
COMING UP THIS WEEK: Backlash against President White begins over the pardon and political fallout.
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