Bush Lawyers Escape Prosecution

A torture scoop: The New York Times is reporting that the Justice Department's inquiry into the conduct of the Bush administration lawyers who okayed harsh interrogation tactics has concluded that they committed serious lapses of judgment, but should not be prosecuted. The report, by the Office of Professional Responsibility, is likely to ask that Jay Bybee and John Yoo be disciplined but not criminally prosecuted. Could the news be due to Bush lobbying? The Washington Post reports that former Bush administration officials are lobbying behind the scenes to persuade Justice Department leaders to “soften” an ethics report criticizing the lawyers. Attorneys for the two Bybee and Yoo have encouraged such lobbying from the ex-Bush officials, sources tell the paper. The two men faced a deadline of yesterday to respond to investigators, but have not yet done so.