Take that, Congress

The AP is reporting that a federal judge has ruled that the raid on Louisiana congressman Rep. William Jefferson’s Capitol Hill office was legal:

WASHINGTON β€” 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.

No word yet from Reps Hastert and Pelosi, who issued a joint statement shortly after the raid condemning it as “unconstitutional.”

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