I Didn't Know Congress Was A Monarchy

Historically, monarchs are "above" the law. Apparently, Congress thinks Congress members are "above" the law too.

From Ogre's Politics & Views:

As is being reported everywhere, members of Congress are annoyed that the FBI dared to search a sitting Congressman's office. They are complaining that it's a constitutional violation and that the Executive Branch "crossed a line that separates Congress from the executive branch."

One problem -- the executive branch didn't do this -- both the judicial branch AND the executive branch agreed that there was evidence of a crime that had been committed -- a felony -- and that a sitting Congressman had committed the crime. It's called checks and balances and it appeared to work just right so far.

Sounds legitimate to me. If a judge signed a warrant, then too bad for corrupt William Jefferson . . . and any other member of Congress who behaves the same way.

AP: House leaders demand FBI return papers---

The Justice Department dug in, repeating that the raid was carried out only after Jefferson refused to comply with a subpoena and only then with a search warrant signed by a judge.

"The actions were lawful and necessary under these unique circumstances," said Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty.

The constitutional fight was set in motion last Saturday night, when the FBI raided Jefferson's legislative office in pursuit of evidence against him in an investigation of whether he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in a bribery deal.

Isn't this the usual course in criminal investigations? The criminal refuses to comply with a legal warrant, so the authorities go in with whatever force is necessary? It isn't as though Jefferson just refused to hand over a press release or something.

At least some members of Congress know their place (that would be "elected representatives," not "divine monarchs"):

"These self-serving separation of power arguments" have no basis in law, said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., in a letter to GOP leaders. He noted that search warrants had previously been served on members' homes, including Jefferson's.

"A distinction that would treat searches in their offices completely differently is superficial and baseless," Vitter wrote. "The American people will come to one conclusion — that congressional leaders are trying to protect their own from valid investigations."

Conclusion reached!

Right Wing News has more on the Constitution:

Moreover, trying to use the Constitution as a shield in this case is pure bunk. If you look at Article 6, Section 1 of the Constitution, it says:

"They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place."

Even if you very liberally interpret that clause to mean that it prevents their offices from being searched, bribery is a felony and wouldn't be covered.

If Congress members want to play monarchy, then I say,

"Off with their heads!"

More on William Jefferson here, here, and here. Do you remember what he did after Hurricane Katrina?

More from Pirate's Cove.

Hot Air asks, "Is Speaker Hastert Illiterate?"

From WizBang:
-Republicans Insist Congressional Offices off Limits to Searches
-A few random thoughts on the Jefferson case

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