"The president has set high standards, the highest of standards, for people in his administration. He’s made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct."

– Scott McClellan, Press Briefing, September 29, 2003

"If someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration."

– George W. Bush, Remarks to Reporters, July 18, 2005

Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Stephen Hadley announced today the appointment of Elliott Abrams as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy. . ."

– Executive Office of the President, Personnel Announcement, February 2, 2005

The Board concluded . . . that Abrams had engaged in "dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation" by giving false (but unsworn) testimony to three congressional committees regarding the role of the United States government in what has become known as the Iran-Contra Affair. Following Abrams’ conviction, upon a plea of guilty, of criminal charges arising out of his congressional testimony, President Bush granted him a full and unconditional pardon."

– District of Columbia Court of Appeals, In re Elliott Abrams, Respondent, July 18, 2005

CONCLUSION: “Highest of standards” means that the White House will employ pardoned criminals, but not unpardoned ones.