Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has made it clear to the president that he regards the FBI raid on Rep. William Jefferson’s office unconstitutional. Hastert contends that the raid violated the constitutionally enshrined principle of separation of powers. Hastert argues that the raid was not conducted properly, though he does not dispute the guilt or innocence of Rep. Jefferson.

Jefferson, who is accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for official “favors” naturally objected to the raids as well. In raising his concerns, Hastert claims that he was not given advanced warning of the raid and that there was no ground to seize congressional documents.

The position of the Speaker is groundless; perhaps Hastert is concerned that the equally corrupt Republicans will be targeted next. The FBI followed proper procedure in securing a warrant and the subsequent raid was completely constitutional. Hastert’s concerns over Separation of Powers is a poor attempt to change the meaning of the term. The constitution does not protect members of congress from being investigating for criminal activity.

Execution of search warrants do not require advanced notice to the speaker or any other party, indeed that is the very nature of a search warrant and members of congress are not immune from the laws they are sworn to protect. These objections raised by members of congress represent a congressional usurpation in an of itself as they seek to reserve for themselves special treatment, to which ordinary Americans are not entitled…
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/052406/jefferson.html