[Mr. Brightside]

“[Justice Department employees] take the same oath, so somebody better start reading the Constitution down there.”

Where does it state in the Constitution that Congress is above the law, that they are immune from search warrants, that their offices are protected by the separation of powers?

[RetiredArmy]

Okay, now, let me understand this. The United States government can come take me to jail by the point of a gun if I refuse to give them my money. They call it taxes. They can take everything I own and sell it off to get my money. They call it taxes paid. They can come in and break into my home, take anything they want. They call it a search and seizure. They can jail me for what they said I did wrong. They call it an arrest. BUT, A STINKING SO CALLED CONGRSSMAN has BREAK THE FREAKING LAW, TAKE A BRIBE FOR MONEY, AVOIDING PAYING THE SAME TAXES, AND IT VIOLATEDS THE STINKING CONSTITUTION??????????? I am sorry folks, but entire Washington, D.C., US government, Congress, all of them can go straight to hell. Talk about two-faced, lying, cheating, thieving, stinking A-holes!! They all can go to hell. Hassert can lead them there.

[redgolum]

Interesting and tell attempt at "Defense". Rather than answer the charges, just claim that police have no jurisdiction over the congress/ruling class.

Anyone still believe that more than a few congress critters don't see themselves as nobility?

[counterpunch]

Poor idiot Republicans. Denny Hastert really knows how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Republicans could have just stayed quiet on this matter, and simply said "we have nothing to hide in our offices."

Republicans could have let the Democrats complain about the raid, making them look even more guilty. Instead Republicans got out in front of the Democrats on this, creating a perception of the powerful protecting the powerful and Congress being above the law, and at the same time making Jefferson and the Democrats look like victims of the eeeeeeevil Bush administration, and Republicans, by proxy.

What could have been a story of Democrat corruption all summer long and right up to the election will now be a story of "unconstitutional" raids by the Bush administration. The media has managed to make terrorists at GitMo "victims" of Bush, and thanks to House Republicans, they will do the same of poor little William Jefferson.

Well way to go Denny! It was nice knowing you as Speaker.

[Gritty]

[Probus]

At least the Dims and the Reps agree on something... if you want to hide evidence of a crime, the Senate offices are sacred and the place to do it. And...if the FBI decides to (finally) take on and ferret out corruption in the law making bodies, the law making bodies will take on the FBI and make life very miserable. After all who really wants to KNOW their government (both parties) is truly corrupt and without scruples?

[Antoninus]

Hey, why not just give all the Congress Critters diplomatic immunity?

[Humidston]

First Patrick Kennedy, now Jefferson. Both hide behind the speech and debate rule.

Those elitists breathe rarified air and are above the law. If you don't believe it, "SCREW YOU!" they say.

[tobyhill]

"Justice Department officials said the decision to search Jefferson’s office was made in part because he refused to comply with a subpoena for documents last summer. Jefferson reported the subpoena to the House on Sept. 15, 2005."

This is why they did what they did.

[relictele]

Potomac Fever: most virulent infectious disease in history.

[BnBlFlag]

Does the leadership of the Republican Party have a death wish for the GOP? Or is Hastert merely "hiding the goods" in his own office?
If he thinks any Dim would come to his defense when and if he gets himself in trouble, he's a lunatic.
OTOH, I will forgive him for many of his mistakes if he will stand his ground and kill this travesty of an "Immigration Bill" coming down from the Senate.

[dfwgator]

Now we know why Hastert was so concerned.