Remember those FBI agents who searched the Congressional office of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA)? Remember the uproar that ensued from Congressional leaders of their rights and separation of powers?
I admit that I was skeptical of their argument at the time, but this news puts it in a new light. Snarky post title aside, if this reported FBI behavior is true, then Members may be well within their rights to claim that the whole search was mishandled.
FBI agents who raided the office of Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) last month threatened to pick the lock on the door after the acting U.S. Capitol Police chief asked them to hold off until a congressional lawyer showed up, according to a document filed in U.S. District Court.
The DOJ's response?
A Justice Department official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case, said last night that the suggestion that "a target of a criminal investigation be informed before a search takes place is a nonstarter. That clearly places a congressman above the law."
This is turning out to be quite the developing story. We'll keep you posted on the latest back-and-forth between the Justice Department and Congress.
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