beginning of the lawsuit that it would be quite difficult to win, since public officials and servants are generally immune from such suits filed in connection with their jobs. Plame's identity as a Central Intelligence Agency field operative was revealed in a syndicated newspaper column in 2003. This revelation coincided with (Plame's husband) Wilson's criticism of the Bush administration's policy in Iraq. Many of the administration's opponents questioned the timing of the leak of Plame's identity, and assign blame of the leak to officials in the administration. Although several administration officials were questioned in an investigation of the leak, no formal charges were brought, and Libby was then found guilty of lying and obstruction of the investigation as a consequence of his lying. President George W. Bush subsequently commuted Libby's jail sentence as unduly harsh. In April 2018, President Donald Trump fully pardoned Libby. Bates stated in his ruling that the couple's allegations "pose important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials," but that he had to dismiss their claims for jurisdictional reasons. While saying the Bush administration officials' actions "may have been highly unsavory", Bates nonetheless ruled "there can be no serious dispute" that speaking to the press to rebut Wilson's criticism was "within the scope of defendants' duties as high-level Executive Branch officials." The Wilsons appealed. In a December 30, 2002 decision, Bates of the U.S. District Court ruled that lead plaintiff Representative Dennis Kucinich and 31 other members of the United States House of Representatives have no standing to challenge President Bush's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty without congressional approval. He also ruled that the case presents a "political question" not suitable for resolution by the courts." References Sources External links John D. Bates official biography Presidential Nomination: John D. Bates Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives v. Harriet Miers, et al., Civil Action No. 08-0409, Memorandum Opinion, (D.D.C., July 31, 2008) 1946 births 21st-century American judges Assistant United States Attorneys Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Judges presiding over Guantanamo habeas petitions Living people United States Army officers United States district court judges appointed by George W. Bush University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law alumni Wesleyan University alumni Judges of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court People from Elizabeth, New Jersey Military personnel from New Jersey