Letter: FBI raid controversy could have been avoided

Saturday, June 3, 2006 | 7:40 a.m.

Some believe that it was appropriate for the FBI to raid Rep. William Jefferson's office for criminal evidence, especially with a federal judge's permission. No one is above the law. Others believe that it may be an act that violates the fundamentals of constitutional separation and equality of the three branches of government.

At the risk of offending many readers, I see more merit in the latter position. Why? Suppose we elect a president who turns out to be a Hitler or Stalin; one who has less regard for the Constitution than for his quest for power.

Disregarding constitutional respect for equal branches means the FBI, by order of the president, can attack and weaken any opponent, enemy or critic in the legislative or judicial branch. We have to be very careful that this kind of thing does not become routinely acceptable.

Whether it is clear in the Constitution or not, the whole incident could have been easily avoided if the FBI director had contacted the speaker and the House minority leader and got them to use the Capitol police, together with the FBI, to raid the Jefferson office. I doubt the House leaders could have denied the FBI under the circumstances, and there would have been no constitutional issue, etc.

Herman Gordon, Las Vegas