By Steve Haner

Congressman Robert “Bobby” Scott, a long serving Democrat from Newport News once in the Virginia Senate, joined several congressional colleagues late in 2024 to petition President Joe Biden on behalf of one of the most notorious of cop killers. Biden agreed and granted clemency to Leonard Peltier, popular with leftists around the world because he claimed he was acting on behalf of America’s oppressed indigenous peoples.

What Scott did needs to be noted and reported because he continues to toy with the idea of running for governor as a Democrat, appealing to Democrats who fear Abigail Spanberger is not sufficiently true to The Cause. Well, she was smart enough not to sign this letter on Peltier’s behalf, so maybe they’re right about her.

Scott’s action wasn’t reported in Virginia at the time of Peltier’s inclusion on Biden’s long list of pardons and commutations. Peltier’s release was the focus of a Wall Street Journal editorial today, which mentioned the letter from 36 members of Congress and then provided a link. Scott was the only Virginian who signed. It reads in part:

Nearly 50 years ago, Mr. Peltier, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, was arrested and later convicted for his alleged involvement in the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Since that time, Mr. Peltier has maintained his innocence, and serious concerns have been raised regarding the fairness of his trial and incarceration. Calls for his release have also received sweeping support from civil liberties and human rights organizations – including the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch; faith leaders and other respected voices – including Pope Francis, Saint Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Coretta Scott King; and even those previously involved in his prosecution.

Alleged. His alleged involvement. Well, if the Pope says he’s innocent, he’s got the direct line to the top, right? Here is how the Wall Street Journal summarized the case:

When (Agent Ronald) Williams, age 27, and Agent Jack Coler, 28, encountered their killer at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975, Mr. Peltier already had an outstanding warrant for the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer. A gun fight ensued, and both agents were wounded. Mr. Peltier then shot Coler “twice in the head as he lay on the ground unconscious,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said last summer. “Williams was on his knees, unable to stand, when Peltier shot him in the face through an outstretched hand.”

Mr. Peltier then fled to Canada, firing at Oregon State Police officers on his way. The Canadian Mounted Police later arrested him, and Mr. Wray notes that Mr. Peltier expressed regret—that he hadn’t had a chance to “blow” the officers “out of their shoes” first. A jury in 1977 found Mr. Peltier guilty on two counts of first-degree murder. Two years into his sentence, he tried to escape, again firing at law enforcement.

Peltier is 80 and not much is gained by having him die in custody, so a compassionate release might be forgiven. But he apparently remains unrepentant and has a bevy of actual fans.  I remember the case from 50 years ago, he’s a bad one. 

I have no idea why any sane person would pursue a career in law enforcement. Presidents of both parties have now proven themselves perfectly capable of ignoring, even cheering on and forgiving violence against them. Do we want a future governor with the same history?