Like you and me, only – oh wait
Good:
An FBI raid on a Louisiana congressman’s Capitol Hill office was legal, a federal judge ruled Monday.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan said members of Congress are not above the law. He rejected requests from lawmakers and Democratic Rep. William Jefferson to return material seized by the FBI in a May 20-21 search of Jefferson’s office.
In a 28-page opinion, Hogan dismissed arguments that the first-ever raid on a congressman’s office violated the Constitution’s protections against intimidation of elected officials.
“Congress’ capacity to function effectively is not threatened by permitting congressional offices to be searched pursuant to validly issued search warrants,” said Hogan, who had approved the FBI’s request to conduct the overnight search of Jefferson’s office.
July 10th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
While I do agree with this ruling, Judge Thomas F. Hogan merely ruled that the warrant that he himself issued, (and any further warrants that could be issued), was legal.
I’d be really surprised if he ruled any other way. They aren’t appointed for life for nothing.
July 10th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
So, are the three branches of government co-equal or is the judiciary above the other two?
We are doomed if any of the three branches gets more powerful than the others. Imperial America doesn’t bode well for freedom.
July 10th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
JUSTICE:
That’s what I’ve said all along. If he is guilty, throw the SOB (Son of Belial) in jail for a long time; if he’s innocent, turn him loose … but try him.
July 11th, 2006 at 3:01 am
anonymous Says:
I’ll assume that was addressed to me. They are co-equal. In theory there’s a check and balance. Lifetime appointments are balanced by being able to impeach and remove Judges. Congress makes all the laws (in theory) and controls the purse strings. The Executive branch enforces the laws and the President in the commander-in-chief.
Whether we are still in balance after 200+ years is up for some debate. Executive branch departments like the BATFE and the FDA can pass rules with the force of law. Executive orders go beyond orders from the President to his Executive branch staff. Judges are accused of “legislating from the bench”. Congress critters pass unconstitutional laws against their oaths of office.
July 11th, 2006 at 3:10 am
My first comment was suppose to imply that this was a mere formality. I’m sure that Rep. William Jefferson will appeal.
Odds are, because this involves congress-critters or important stuff like the constitutionality of laws that ban the burning of flags, it’ll go all the way to those supremes. Rather quickly I assume.
If it was about trivial stuff, such as whether or not the Federal government is going to recognize that the Second Amendment means what it means, and thereby invalidate every 20th century gun law on the books, it would never be allowed to see the light of day.