Hastert Demands FBI Return Documents

CNSnews ~ LA Times ^ | May 24, 2006 | Laurie Kellman

[Miss_Reagan]

House Speaker Dennis Hastert demanded Wednesday that the FBI surrender documents it seized and remove agents involved in the weekend raid of Rep. William Jefferson's office, under what lawmakers of both parties said were unconstitutional circumstances.

"We think those materials ought to be returned," Hastert said, adding that the FBI agents involved "ought to be frozen out of that (case) just for the sake of the constitutional aspects of it."

The Saturday night search of Jefferson's office on Capitol Hill brought Democrats and Republicans together in rare election-year accord, with both parties protesting agency conduct they said violated the Constitution's separation of powers doctrine.

[RDTF]

They just said on ABC news that Hastert is a target of the bribery investigation! (Lobbyist)

[RDTF]

re: Hastert under investigation-
I just posted it:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1637747/posts

[mrsmith]

"They were not searching for documents so much as they were money."

Well, they weren't searching for privileged documents. They were searching for evidence of a crime- and had good cause.

However they did seize and examine clearly privileged documents because the evidence was hidden among them.

[AmeriBrit]

I couldn't agree more!

The problem is it's long and most don't have the patience to read more than the heading and first sentence.

Most don't realize either how those stolen FBI files are being used leading up to November and 2008 and how vital it is to find them, and expose those who's hands they're in and squash any attempt they have to be in any position of power again. They need to be wearing striped suits and be behind bars for life for the damage they've done to this great nation.

[IncPen]

It makes Republicans look like they care more about protecting themselves and their Dem buddies than the rule of law.

I haven't read that much about this, but from what I've read they had a warrant from a judge (in the third branch, and presumably a disinterested party)

And there is precedent dating back to Watergate.

Are you suggesting that the halls of Congress are somehow sacrosanct, or above the law, simply by virtue of their being the halls of Congress?

[daybreakcoming]

Then this happens. It is somewhat mystifying to me just what Hastert is trying to do here, unless it involves some kind of CYA,

I am concerned about Hastert. He got $70,000 worth of contributions from clients of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He said he was going to donate the money to charity but has never disclosed anything further about that. There are also rumors about Turkish pay-offs to him although he has denied this. I can think of no reason for him to be so ignorant of what the Constitution actually says about these circumstances. I am sure it is a scary thought to Congress that their sanctuary is not sacred and so we now see all the rushing to the cameras. Darn sad, isn't it? I would not be surprised to see the Congress poll numbers dip down into the single digits after today.

All that said, I will still vote Republican this fall - the alternative is too outrageous.

[madison10]

Maybe Hastert wants the documents returned because his name is listed in them.

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

Officials: Hastert "In the Mix" of Congressional Bribery Investigation

Hastert is protecting himself with the claim that the FBI search was unconstitutional. He is going down. Send all the dirt bag out in 2006.

[California Patriot]

You may be completely right. I'm not trying to predict what will ultimately be decided here. I'm just saying that the Constitution does not protect Mr. Jefferson's office or papers from a search, providing there was a warrant. Any SCOTUS decision to the contrary is crap.

[Peach]

Wow! Good find. Now it all makes sense. Hastert is going down. And with him, a lot of other Republicans, I'll bet.

[Beagle8U]

"You have read almost every thread posted? From beginning to end? "

Not every one, just most of the main ones. everyday.

[Sam Ketcham]

The allegaltion v Hasert was via the MSM, so no guarantee. As far as I can see Hasert's protest roasts him. PERHAPS a few more indictments will turn the Senate to vote for America instead of Mexico.

IF is a terrible word though. IF the lightening bolt to "The Swimmer" Kennedy's plane... well you get the point. Let us go with facts so we don't sound like Murtagh.

[RedStateRocker]

Fair fighting? I think I've heard of that, doesn't sound like a lot of fun (paraphrasing Cohan the Barbarian in Discworld 'he'd heard of something called fighting fair, decided it didn't make much sense').
I don't see why the two party system is so inherently better. Seems to me it's a status quo that serves those in power much better than the people. I just don't understand what is so darned SACRED about it. Respectfully.

[pollyannaish]

That's impressive. If I could find a way to make money doing that...I would be right there with ya! : D.

As it is, I'm still considering a twelve-step.

[pollyannaish]

It will certainly be interesting to see how this plays out.

I have never been overly concerned about Abramoff. He was a crook, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone that took campaign contributions was. Two separate issues.

In any case, I'm willing to wait, but am mystified by his reaction at the moment.

[Myrddin]

It wasn't a "raid". It was a lawfully executed search warrant. The objects collected are EVIDENCE for use in a criminal prosecution. Hastert's behavior borders on obstruction of justice. Congress critters don't have diplomatic immunity. They are ordinary citizens who are required to live the same lawful manner as every other citizen. When they break the law, they are subject to investigation by law enforcement. If charged with an offense, they are entitled to due process...not special handling like the Kennedy criminals.

The "separation of powers" red herring is being raised by criminals and cronies in the Congress who know that they may be subject to the same warranted searches and potential prosecution. If you do the crime, you should do the time.

[stands2reason]

No.

[CyberAnt]

In case people missed this post to me - here it is again:

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. 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. Article 1 Section 6, Constitution for the United States.

[sport]

Hastert is nervoius because he is just as dirty as Jefferson.

[demkicker]

Let me invite you over to this thread