US President George W Bush has intervened to prevent Lewis Libby, a convicted former vice-presidential aide, from serving a prison term.
President Bush described as "excessive" the 30-month sentence Libby was facing for obstructing an inquiry into the leaking of a CIA agent's name.
Though no longer required to go to jail, Libby is still due to serve a period of probation and pay a fine.
A leading Democratic politician said Mr Bush's decision was "disgraceful".
History will judge the president "harshly" for using his power to benefit his own Vice President's chief of staff, Harry Reid, the leading Democrat in the US Senate, said.
Lewis Libby, also known by his nickname, "Scooter" Libby, was found guilty in March of perjury and obstructing justice in a case connected to Washington's decision to invade Iraq.
His trial saw the White House accused of having illegally made public the identity of a serving CIA agent, Valerie Plame, in an apparent effort to embarrass her husband.
Convict (vt,n): 犯人，定罪
Obstruct (vt): 阻碍，妨碍
Perjury (n): 撒谎
To be found guilty of sth
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