Royal Congress - William Jefferson, Democrat

US House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert asserts that Congressmen are royalty.

Hastert is interfering in the criminal investigation of William Jefferson, Democrat of Louisiana. Jefferson's home and office were searched based on a search warrant from a judge. This wasn't the FBI "run wild." There was a warrant. But Hastert says the search should not have been conducted.

Congressmen have some protection we don't have. But it is narrow, says Akhir Amar at Slate. The founders did not provide protection for criminals, as Article I, section 6 of the US Constitution say:

Senators and Representatives … shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

I am as bothered by Hastert's protecting criminal Congressmen as I am by Jefferson's crime. And there is no way I could find to leave a message for distinguished leader Hastert. Only people with zip codes in his district can communicate with his royal highness Hastert.

Update. Congress Is Not Above the Law -- Wall Street Journal