‘Expansive’ Jefferson ruling blocking corruption probes.
By on Dec 21st, 2007 at 8:00 pm
‘Expansive’ Jefferson ruling blocking corruption probes.
In an appeal filed with the U.S. Supreme Court this week, the Justice Department said that the “overly expansive” ruling over the search last year of Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) congressional office “is blocking investigations of other congressional corruption cases.” The DoJ “asked the high court to overturn a ruling by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia prohibiting agents from searching locations where legislative records are likely to be found unless they have the permission of the congressional member.” The ruling is already confirmed to have stalled the investigation into Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA).
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Bachmann
Beck
Boehner
Business
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
Dobbs
Economy
Education
Election
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Glenn Beck
Global Warming
Health Care
Immigration
International Relations
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Politics
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Sports
Steele
Stimulus
Tea Parties
Tea Party
Terrorism
Veterans
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
As the French would say, “Bingeau!”
December 21st, 2007 at 8:12 pmYeah right! Nice little excuse to avoid the republicscum investigations! We’re not buying it for a moment.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:26 pmHellllloooo! It says “overly EXPANSIVE” ruling. Not “expensive”.
There’s a big difference. TP needs to correct this one before looking like boofs.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:28 pmOverly expensive?! Yet, they had no problem blowing over $40,000,000 investigating the Clinton blowjob and millions more investigating Whitewater? Enough of this bs.
Let’s instead focus on the real issues, such as Mitt Romney claiming that his great-grandfather marched with John Brown and Frederick Douglas.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:44 pmYup. Expansive. Big difference.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:50 pmThe Federal Government is a criminal enterprise.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:52 pm“Let’s instead focus on the real issues, such as Mitt Romney claiming that his great-grandfather marched with John Brown and Frederick Douglas.”
LOL! Oh and, you forgot to add Mitt’s great-grandfather’s debate with W.E.B. Dubois and also helping Harriet Tubman free the slaves.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:53 pmPlease correct this entry.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:31 pmI think the irony here has to be mentioned. Democrat being investigated ruling stalling the republican investigaitons.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:41 pmCheney doesn’t care. He’ll just start another fire if they come for any (other) records.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:09 pmDemocrat being investigated ruling stalling the republican investigaitons.
Comment by chomot — December 21, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
This might not necessarily be an accident.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:16 pmComment by CaptainMantastic — December 21, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
Nice Jingle Ballsâ„¢, Masturbastic. You’ve bin spendin’ too much time w/ Li’l Footie. You trolls need to form a union. Whoever’s makin’ you guys wear those outfits has a sick sense of humor. When you finally sober up after the holidays and see the photos, yer not gonna like it.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:19 pmHow many different ways would you like this?
Comment by CaptainMantastic — December 21, 2007 @ 10:15 pm about half the ways you traitors have had it for the past several years. what’s your complaint, you seem to be fine with bush using the Constitution for toilet paper. hypocrisy is your pedestal.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:37 pmAccording to the article for which ThinkProgress provides a link, the US Justice Department is claiming the lower court decision is too “expansive,” not too “expensive.”
December 21st, 2007 at 10:45 pmyou seem to be fine with bush using the Constitution for toilet paper. hypocrisy is your pedestal.
Comment by Lefty Patriot — December 21, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
This is hysterical. Utterly incoherent, but extremely funny too. Wow…
Spin… spin… spin… ah, the sour stench of desperation is in the air.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:51 pmAfter being up in arms over the president’s trampling of the constitution for years, progressives are now willing to be somewhat flexible with the constitution; if it will expedite the investigation into a republican Abramoff associate.
How many different ways would you like this?
Comment by CaptainMantastic
And you came to this conclusion how? Is anyone here saying that what they did with Jefferson was the correct thing to do? Is anyone here defending Jefferson? Have you read that somewhere? If so, please link to it, otherwise STFU.
Personally I think that if the investigators had a warrant to search Jefferson’s congressional office, that it was the correct thing to do.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:53 pmClean all the scum out of both sides of the tube.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:41 pm“… and get on with the republican lynching.”
Comment by CaptainMasturbastic — December 21, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
hmmm… it doesn’t say that, but hey, yer a troll.
“Republican lynching”… boy, talk about yer stretches of imagination. you need to get a “firm grip” on… reality here, Masturbastic. yer comment is just irrational and silly… pure hyperbole and exaggeration.
Nice Jingle Ballsâ„¢, BTW. They go well w/ the shiny red vinyl short shorts, the pointy-toed elf shoes, and the matching, candy-cane striped cod piece and tights. Somebody, get a pic before he sobers up.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:57 pmWell said, Doc Rock. When a bush controlled DOJ complains they are delayed investigating another republican……oh please…….
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 amThe Federal Government is a criminal enterprise. The economy is all on borrowed money. The greed will result in some sort of revolution.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:21 amDemocrats and Republicans are all in on the crimes.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:22 amWhy do you think the “Democratic” Congress with Harry and Nancy aren’t bringing justice.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 amCaptMantastic:
Honesty, when I think of William “Frozen Assets” Jefferson, I feel derision. Honestly, I think they need to throw the book at BOTH of them.
But think what you will of “liberals”. I’ll go on laughing at ole Frozen Assets, right before I laugh at you.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:03 amFunny how the party of “Law and Order” has the top guy in The WH and he is using “Signing Statements” to exclude himself from any laws passed by Congress to the exclusion of all others.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:22 amWhy do you think the “Democratic†Congress with Harry and Nancy aren’t bringing justice.
Comment by ForTruth — December 22, 2007 @ 12:23 am
A very valid question which raises a frightening specter. One possible explanation for the inexplicable behavior of Dems is good old fashioned blackmail. It’s pure speculation but it fits many of the available facts. Especially when one considers the “domestic spying program”.
I find it hard to believe that, given carte blanche, the neocons wouldn’t tap into communications between Democrats. I also find it hard to believe they wouldn’t use every bit of embarrassing information they picked up.
As I said it’s pure speculation. But, it does make one wonder.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:43 amCulture of Corruptionâ„¢
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:39 amA very valid question which raises a frightening specter. One possible explanation for the inexplicable behavior of Dems is good old fashioned blackmail. It’s pure speculation but it fits many of the available facts. Especially when one considers the “domestic spying programâ€.
Comment by pete
Nope, there’s a much simpler answer that seems to have gone over the heads of fools like you…
THE DEMOCRATS ARE JUST AS CRIMINAL AS THE REPUBLICANS.
Deal with it already, and stop making BS excuses for them.
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:42 am#28: I am of the opinion there is indeed “Blackmail” going on. As you state it is pure speculation, but the other probability is that the Dems cannot get a vote in the Senate on any important change without the 60 votes needed to get an “Up od Down” Vote, Remember that little jewel a few years back?
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:45 am“So much for draining the swamp”?
I thought Delay resigned, and Abramoff and Libby were thrown in jail. I also seem to recall Safavian’s conviction, among others.
Was I wrong?
/sarcasm off
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:25 amRepublicans WANT YOU TO BELIEVE everyone’s as CRIMINAL as they are, even though the last 7 years would have PROVEN THIS TO BE FALSE to anyone but someone as STUPID as YOU!!! ROTFL!!!
Comment by republicans hate facts
Are you really so completely naive, that you think any individual, that’s worked his way into politics on a national level, did so through honest means?
Give me a f***ing break.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 amI don’t know why the Jefferson investigation should inhibit other investigations. At worst, it should slow the prosecution process in existing cases. All other investigations should proceed within Consitutional limitations. I personally hope this bump in the road does not lead to Jefferson, or any other corrupt officials, getting away with their crimes.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:20 am#35: Libby did not go to jail, as I stated many times that he would never spend a day in prison/jail because GW would commute the sentence, which he did, and then before leaving office give a pardon , not only to Libby, but many others involved.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:21 amIt’s seems the thread is implying that we should skip the review of whether similar searches are constitutional, and get on with the republican lynching.
I could be wrong. Please clue me in, if I am.
Comment by CaptainMantastic
You are wrong. I have not read one post here that suggested that we should skip the review.
Why is it a “Republican lynching” when someone in your party is caught doing something wrong, but it is doing the right thing when a Democrat is caught doing something wrong.
Pretty much every post I have read here about Jefferson (on this and prior posts about him) has NOT supported him and has supported following the rule of law.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:46 amAre you really so completely naive, that you think any individual, that’s worked his way into politics on a national level, did so through honest means?
Give me a f***ing break.
Comment by JPV
So what is your solution JPV, do away with the government entirely and privatize everything? How very Libertarian of you. If you are worried about corruption in Congress you should be working very hard for publicly financed campaigns.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:50 amI personally hope this bump in the road does not lead to Jefferson, or any other corrupt officials, getting away with their crimes.
Comment by erock
I do too. But frankly I am of the opinion that they are using Jefferson as an excuse not to prosecute Doolittle. I’m quite sure they have enough evidence on him without the need to raid his Congressional office. If he had any evidence of his crimes in his Congressional office I am sure he has destroyed it by now. He probably did that the day after Jefferson’s office was raided. But Jefferson is a convenient excuse for them to not prosecute Doolittle and other Republiscums who have committed similar crimes.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:53 amBut Jefferson is a convenient excuse for them to not prosecute Doolittle and other Republiscums who have committed similar crimes.
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 22, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Again, as the French would say… Bingeau!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:56 amIt’s funny that we sit and squabble over perceived “differences” between “parties”. I believe there will be some type of revolution. Probably within the government itself. Not as much in the way we think of a “revolution”. This is the only way things will truly change. It does not matter even if Kucinich or Paul get in. Even if Nader gets in. The problem is so vast, one man, one administration, one Congress cannot put real changes onto it. It’s Greed gone wild.
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:12 amIt’s Greed gone wild.
Comment by ForTruth — December 22, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Coupled w/ an almost complete lack of accountability… The Lord of the Flies, come home to roost… we’re going primitive.
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:16 amNever before has a President and Vice President deserved to be impeached more than these.
Yet our Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is working behind the scenes with House Democrats, not to build a consensus for impeachment, but to do just the opposite: to keep others from succeeding in their effort to hold this president accountable by means of impeachment.
With the FISA bill still looming in the Senate, and a new war funding bill passed with no structure in place to Bring our Troops Home, we have to show the leaders of the House and Senate that this is still our country.
Please read the petition to replace Pelosi with a Democratic Representative who will bring impeachment proceedings to the floor. A Question of Privilege under House Rules IX can declare the Speaker seat vacant.
It can be done, it must be done. We have waited long enough.
http://www.petitiononline.com/everyman/petition.html
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:25 am