I think I remember being told once that any comment whatsoever on a case by the president is considered to be undue command influence.
For him to say about a particular case: “you must presume innocence” can be interpreted as him saying that the guys are innocent.
His choices are silence or dismissal.
It CAN influence, but to presume innocence is not a radical concept and I don’t thing for him to say that, it “endorses” innocence, it just says they are innocent until proven guilty.
xzins, I am no President Bush basher, but he did comment on the Haditha Marines early on. From the NY Times,
In First Comments on Case, Bush Promises Justice in Military Investigation of Civilian Deaths , June 1, 2006
"President Bush said Wednesday that he was troubled by the allegations that American marines killed 24 Iraqi civilians in an unprovoked attack, and he vowed that "those who violated the law, if they did, will be punished."
"I am troubled by the initial news stories," Mr. Bush said in his first public comments about the accusations. "I am mindful that there is a thorough investigation going on. If, in fact, the laws were broken, there will be punishment."
Mr. Bush also said he had spoken with Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about the killings last November in the Iraqi town of Haditha, 150 miles northwest of Baghdad. As many as 24 civilians there died in gunfire after a Marine patrol was attacked, and survivors say many of the victims were offering no resistance. "I know this," Mr. Bush said. "I've talked to General Pete Pace about the subject, who is a proud marine, and nobody is more concerned about these allegations than the Marine Corps." Mr. Bush spoke in response to a question from a reporter during an appearance with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda."
I remember his comments.