Congress Isn't Above the Law - Who Knew?

One of the funniest (in an ironic sort of way, not "ha ha" funny) things to happen in the political realm in recent months was the furor from Captiol Hill after the FBI executed a search warrant at a Congressman's office. Leaders of both parties went absolutely apeshit - these weak rubber stamps who won't do diddly about the administration's systematic dismantling of the Bill of Rights - at the thought of law enforcement officers going through their stuff with a duly authorized warrant. The target of the investigation, Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), went to court to get his stuff back, arguing that via some separation of powers principle the search was bad.* Thankfully, a Federal judge in DC saw right through that bullshit and shot the argument down. In doing so, the judge:

acknowledged the 'unprecedented' nature of the case, but he said the lawmakers' 'sweeping' theory of legislative privilege 'would have the effect of converting every congressional office into a taxpayer-subsidized sanctuary for crime.'

It's sad that it takes a judge to tell Congress that. And people wonder why we need such "activists!"

Read the opinion here.

Had I come up with an argument that weak I would be the lauging stock of my office, I think.