United States Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr defended his investigation of President Clinton yesterday, telling a packed class of 500 GFAP 101 students that he was just doing his job.
Starr, who became famous for investigating the scandal between former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and President Clinton, spoke about the role of a U.S. independent counsel as well as honor in the presidency.
Starr said he would not recommend that Congress renew the independent counsel legislation because the position has become too politicized. But despite being accused of leading a right-wing conspiracy in 1998, he was just doing what the job entailed, he said.
He added that he believes Clinton did not conduct himself with the honor of the presidency in mind.
Clinton gave "false and misleading testimony for the purpose of impeding the justice process," Starr said. Presidents should "tell the truth or take the Fifth" Amendment.
He said the American people are often forgiving, but they "are not likely to forgive false testimony before the grand jury."
"It's not asking too much to do the best you can if the people have given you their sacred trust," he added. Starr said he still has "great admiration for [Clinton's] incredible ability" as president.
Starr said he is satisfied with the investigation, but he had to make some personal sacrifices. He likened the media attention he received to the Jim Carrey movie "The Truman Show."
However, he said he considers members of the media to be "very decent people" whose persistence in covering scandals such as the Lewinsky-Clinton affair is part of their job.
In an interview with The Cavalier Daily, Starr said he thinks being the independent counsel hurt his chances of becoming a Supreme Court justice.
"It would make for an interesting confirmation process," he said.
Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor, said he invited Starr to speak to his class because he is "the very definition of controversial."
Read More
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | 13 hours agoThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters form encampment near University Chapel
By CD News Staff | 14 hours agoThe encampment overlapped with a separate “May Day” protest on the Lawn, which was hosted by student activist group U.Va. Dissenters and the U.Va. Apartheid Divest Coalition.
Another aggravated assault incident reported to UPD
By Thomas Baxter | 14 hours agoThis is the first community alert of May.
