Posted on 07/10/2006 10:46:33 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON, July 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on Judge Thomas F. Hogan's ruling upholding his approval of the search warrant of Representative William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record)'s congressional office:
"No one is above the law and no Members of the House can use a congressional office to conceal evidence of criminal wrongdoing or to shield them from prosecution.
"This particular search could have been conducted in a manner that fully protected the ability of the prosecutors to obtain the evidence needed to do their job while preserving constitutional principles.
"The House will continue discussions with the Department of Justice to develop procedures so that any future searches of Members' offices will protect the ability of the FBI to do its job and maintain the constitutional balance between the Legislative and Executive branches of government."
I am troubled though that the Judge who decided this was the same one who issued the warrant. That alone could be grounds for appeal, I would think.
According to Pelosi...
"This particular search could have been conducted in a manner that fully protected the ability of the prosecutors to obtain the evidence needed to do their job while preserving constitutional principles.
It is my understanding that the way the search was conducted painstakingly excluded documents and information that was inappropriate for the FBI to seize. My guess is the formula and process that the Justice Department and FBI used in this case will become the blueprint for future searches of corrupt congressmens offices. It was also put them on notice that they better keep their criminal enterprise out of their congressional offices.
I still got a feeling that a lot of the Nigerian Email scams are originating in the "halls of congers." From guess which party? Who's doing the most hollering? Who's slopping their dripper?
Translation
"Procedures will be developed so that crooked Congresscritters will be given an adequate heads-up prior to any FBI search in order that they may destroy and/or remove any incriminating evidence they have stashed in their offices."
It's all CYA so she can get back to running on evil GOP culture of corruption. LOL
Oh, just SHUT UP, Nancy!
None of you holier-than-thou congresscritters are above the law even if you think you are.
"This particular search could have been conducted in a manner that fully protected the ability of the prosecutors to obtain the evidence needed to do their job while preserving constitutional principles."
Pelosi is a stupid bitch posturing for her moonbat base. There is no way the search could have been conducted that would have further perserved Constitutional principles. The ruling by the federal court (and subsequent ones to follow up to the SCOTUS) will confirm that.
Gawd I despise libscum, esp. posturing ignorant stupid libscum politicians. They will support any traitor and any corrupt libscum to try to keep/regain power. Libscum such as Pelosi need to be voted out of office NOW (or rather the next closest election). I seriously cannot fathom the level of cognitive dissonance it takes to vote for such a worthless scumbag...
I remain troubled by the version of the process that hit the presses, which was that NOT a judge, BUT a second FBI team gives the go ahead to the prosecuting FBI team as to what is privileged. That's more commonly known as a fox guarding the henhouse. Now if this is further buffered by a compilation presented to the defense who gets to appeal any and all privileged status to a judge before the prosecuting team sees it, the process is not so troubling, but I have never seen this spelled out anywhere.
You know the USSC has said that the Congress can just de-fund something if Congress doesn't want it to happen even if the USSC has said it does want it to happen. Congress, if so minded, could really put the choke on the FBI.
"WE AREN'T TOLERATING YOUR MISDEEDS, NOR ARE YOU ENTITLED TO MORE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES THAN US SCHLUBS OUT HERE IN FLYOVER COUNTRY. WE PAY YOUR SALARIES SO DON'T FORGET IT!"
Worth repeating.....
Keep in mind what this precedent opens up (further) to a Hillary vs. our favorite Pubbies. If an unprincipled President can harass with the USSC's blessing, that President probably will harass.
Did the bus wheels just thump over something?
I believe the Judge starts off his decision saying that no one challenged whether the issuance of the warrant was proper. That being conceded, then yes he would be allowed to decide whatever other gripes they had concerning whether the speech and debate clause was infringed. Judge said it was incidentally abused but that is tough. (paraphrase)
And that's what really is upsetting her.
Speaker Pelosi says blah, blah, blah.
Lets see
Once towards the end of the 19th century, again in the middle of the 20th century, and finally a third time at the beginning of the 21st century. How many times must the congress critters be told that they arent above the law?
If you are engaged in a criminal activity and come to the attention of law enforcement dont expect to have a place to hide. This goes double to our employees - the congress critters we elect every two or six years.
Apparently it was conducted in that manner. The judge ruled that the search was constitutional. So what is there to complain about?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.