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For his character reference letter supporting convicted White House aide Scooter Libby.

In his May 21 letter to U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ahead of Libby’s sentencing, Pace wrote that in national security meetings he attended with Libby, he was “very impressed with Mr. Libby’s professionalism” and noted that Libby “always looked for not just what was in the best interests of the country, but also for the right way to proceed ... both legally and morally.”

At best, Pace showed poor judgment pleading for leniency for someone convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. At worst, Pace crossed the line between providing military advice to the president and becoming part of Washington’s partisan politics.

Although Pace was one of many prominent figures, including former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, to pen letters of support for Libby in the hope of reducing his sentence, his position as a serving officer and the military’s top leader made it entirely, and uniquely, inappropriate to comment.