Irony surrounds us, piles up like leaves in fall, barnacles on a boat, and lies told by politicians. The trick is keeping your eyes open, knowing history, seeing untruth by reference to truth. Charlie Chaplin once said, “Words are cheap.” Well they are cheaper now. Whether you like Trump or not, his Fourth Amendment rights appear to have been trampled, a tragedy for America.
The core of our Fourth Amendment is protection of individuals from government overreach for political or religious reasons, and to avert political vendettas. “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…” The Founders were animated, agitated, and clear.
The only exception was a valid “warrant,” showing “probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” Even then, the crime had to be serious, evidence sought roe than speculative, specific.
The Founders’ concern was that everyday citizens, let alone opposition political and religious leaders, might one day face an all-powerful government, willing to persecute opponents.
If this sounds unlikely, consult history. Very specifically, they feared the “general warrant” – used against colonials by a tyrannical king, so offensive that by the mid-1800s, even the British threw it out. In a nod to America, the British then insisted on specifics and accountability.
Given the Fourth Amendment’s origins, history, and purpose, ask yourself several questions.
Did the search of citizen Trump’s home, setting aside his political aspirations and opposition status, violate what should be his “reasonable expectation of privacy?”
In view of his “reasonable expectation of privacy,” was there a less intrusive way for securing an exchange of information, document production, avoiding a show of coercive power against him?
Was this invasive search necessary, even based on crimes alleged, which focus on document handling? Was the warrant application drafted with specificity? Did it state exactly what documents were sought, where to be found, why required? Or did it authorize a “general search” – as barred by the Fourth Amendment?
Did it list what the FBI expected to find in the former First Lady’s private garments, or state why documents repeatedly offered and later seized – could not simply have been accepted?
Consider also who was to be searched – a former US president from the opposing party, a vocal political opponent (past, currently, in future), someone formerly falsely accused and vindicated, accused again and summarily impeached without regular or due process.
If you were President Biden, Attorney General Garland, or FBI Director Wray – all of whom had to know about this – would you get sign-off from a junior magistrate and open Trump critic, or take another course? In this severely divided political climate, would you not think perception?
If you believed in what you were doing, felt exigent circumstances mandated an intrusive search, why not go to three judges, make two of them Trump appointees, assure public trust not ruined?
If you were objective, why allege “exigent circumstances” requiring an immediate search, then wait two weeks to execute it? In an era of police body cams, why demand home security cameras get turned off – during the raid?
Why roar into town with 30 officers, long guns, sirens, and lights blaring? Why all the political theater, as if performing for the big screen? Why not just show up with a warrant, seek legal entry, go to specific locations, retrieve specific documents, and quietly leave?
In view of our polarized political climate, pending mid-term elections, low polls for the current president, potential second run by the former president, and undeniable history of personal attacks on this man, why appear to be unfairly targeting him – again?
Truth is, unless something wild and unimaginable results from this search, this will be remembered as one of the darkest stains on our Republic, a double tragedy for our Constitution.
First, the art of political vendetta has hit a new low, precedent likely to reappear – right? To most, this just seems more evidence one party is misusing the justice system against the other.
That said, this is new. The federal government has enormous coercive power, which can be dangerous in irresponsible hands. Lord Acton wrote, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Such stark action, barring something unthinkable, is Tragedy One.
Tragedy Two goes beyond national politics. It is personal. This event shakes the foundations of the Republic. If an unreasonable search and seizure can be executed on a flawed warrant, with no accountability, against a major political figure, what does the Fourth Amendment mean?
In sum, this kind of political theater is more than embarrassing. It undermines historic understanding of and fidelity to our Fourth Amendment. It undermines public trust in our government. This was not run-of-the-mill. This act is without precedent. If this can be done to a president, to whom can it not be done?
RBC, Bottom line is that this was a dog and pony show by the current administration and its party to flaunt its power that it can do anything it wants with total disregard of the laws and Constitution of this land and this will be the norm toward all and every person who gets in the way. The government is now totally out of control and needs to be reign in. Problem is who is going to step in to stop it legally?
Wray have been fire as soon as he was showing his ugly head
At times it needs to let the tear grow so now that we know is a tear and not a wheat it need to be plucked out our suspicious of Wray we’re true he is as corrupt as Garlan and his me anions
If Republicans want votes, they better start arresting people. 1.) The Judge, who signed Warrent. 2.) The A. G., Garland. 3.) Wray, head FBI and any Agents involved in the raid.They ALL need to be jailed and Prosecuted. Then go for Biden!
It is painfully obvious that we Constitution-respecting citizens cannot expect Congress, the Constitutionally provided branch of the federal government, to rein in this rogue Administration and the bureaucracy it oversees. May God save us Americans from ourselves, by the only extant Savior, Jesus the Christ!
The Democrats will do anything to turn people against President Trump. Hoping Americans wake up to the Democrats false insinuations and send all these jerks home after November.
Low down despicable act of corruption within our political community. Stand fast hold your ground and pray for intervention from God Almighty for he says vengeance is mine I will repay!
THIS is the government our forefathers warned us about!!!!!!!!!
Ask Ron DeSantis about the 27 calls between his house and an FBI burner phone the day of the raid! It is all over YouTube and TruthSocial. Not surprising the lame stream media is not reporting it.
DICTATOR Beijing biden is nothing but a BULLY and RACIST.
He has bullied AMERICANS since his first day.
Why doesn’t the FAKE News call him a BULLY and RACIST?Cause they STILL support and protect their DICTATOR.
WHY hasn’t Hunter biden’s home been RAIDED?
WHY hasn’t HILLDOG clinton’s home been RAIDED?
WHY hasn’t SWAMP QUEEN pelosi’s home been RAIDED?
WHY hasn’t DICTATOR Beijing biden’s home been RAIDED?
WE KNOW THEY ARE GUILTY.
“…why not go to three judges, make two of them Trump appointees…” In a fair system, that might have happened, but Trump appointees won’t necessarily be on his side. The dems are not fair, they don’t put any credibility in the Constitution, and they make no pretense of being fair or following the Constitution. They will take every little shred of progress in their cause by any means necessary, even if their actions appear malicious, corrupt, unfair, or un-American to most of us. It doesn’t matter because they know almost half of America is behind them.
Many thanks for the sharing of events. Very helpful and well versed.
It is time to put major restraints on federal government overreach. Convention of States action is making progress on doing just that. Very worth signing the petition for COS and getting involved!
Love my great president Trump and his family. The Donald would want us all to go and vote in 2022. MAGA
That’s what the 87 thousand armed IRS agents are for, now it’s ALL of us, not a leader loved by many, and hated by more. And O’Biden took off to an island (Kiawah, in SC) on the same day as the raid?? Things that make you go OH!
The unlawful raid on President Trump’s home is so against our Constitution, so in the face of the American people, that objective citizens should all be outraged. Biden and his henchman are not in the slightest intimidated or fearful that the American people will turn on them and demand that Biden be thrown out of office for corruption and treason against the very foundations of our nation’s survival. If Biden is allowed to run our Constitution into the ground, then for all practical purposes we are no longer a Constitutional Republic. Of course, the apathetic and ignorant socialists and Marxists could care less. Do we have enough Americans who still care about America?
AG dares not release affidavit because its contents would only be approved by a Epstein-hired JV judge (just a “magistrate). It was a big fishing expedition to get ANYTHING they can use to stop Trump!
Raid on Trump’s home was ordered and completed by small men They know they are small and that we know that they know we know that They are in the rage and will stoop to anything to stay in power propped up by bayonets
On the first post on this site after the illegal Raid my first comment was that his 4th Amendment Right had been violated, it pays to read and understand the Constitution, if you don’t the SOB’s on the left will take all your Rights
FBI probably left surveillance stuff all over Trump’s home including in Melania’s clothing. Sick people and yes they are little, little men. Don’t even like calling them men.
What happened last week was one of the worst things that could happen to any citizen of this once great country. I believe that these people,from the President down should be punished to the greatest extent of the law. What has happened to this country where anything one party doesn’t like about the other party lets the former do everything in their power to cause a person from the later to be bullied beyond what might be considered, murder. Wake up America. We are on a downward spiral toward oblivion. We need to stop these leftist now! We can’t wait until 2024! Oh for the days of TRUMP!
How do you expect this to work out???? The politically motivated DOJ practiced on Trump associates and then jumped on him. This whole thing can become a circular firing squad if the R’s win out in the midterms. The shoe may change feet and another round of political theater will start. Be careful how hard you Democrats push the abuse.It is a 2 way street and revenge could be sweet.
LEFTIES DON’T “NEED” PROBABLE CAUSE…
And now they are going to court to cover up the affidavit made under oath.
we can fix all of this at the polling place with an overwhelming red wave to drown the rats! we can do this!
This Entire operation was a political action taken by our over acting government . This administration has gone above & beyond on taking aim at there political opponent because he is not a member of the elite members of congress & owes nothing to them. He loves AMERICA & while in office – donated his salary , kept us out of war , had peace in the middle east ,didn’t have a problem at the border , made us energy safe , lowered taxes & prices & made life in general better for AMERICAN’s GOD Bless him & The U.S.A.
SCARY! If we want to preserve our liberties, we must speak up now, before the “powerful” make that a crime.
The only way that you can violate all of the Constitution is to own the “Justice” Dept and the Fed law enforcers (FBI). The DemonRats certainly OWNS them. The only way to get our government back is revolution.
If Trump was smart he’d file law suits against biden, garland, wrey and the 30 fbi agents. He’s got the money to do it.
Amen! Right on! Enforce the law!If you don’t like ours go over seas where they do law differently!
We had better elect a massive number of rip-roaring Conservatives in November if we expect to have any chance at all of cleaning up this mess.
Excellent article
Raid Outcomes:
o Boost GOP
o Boost run for 2024
o Unite GOP
o Bust up Deep State
o Later purge FBI
o Bust up DC Estd elites
There have been numerous attacks on Trump with many totally unfounded. But my issue is with the Steele Dossier and Russia collusion. Clearly manufactured false evidence. Paid for by the political opposition. Promoted and given creditability by media and elected politicians; remember Schiff – “…non-public evidence is evidence on the issue of collusion and some … on the issue of obstruction.” – Washington Press 2-15-2017? He accused Trump of treason and obstruction – and he is still in office not jail!
Government intelligence, FBI and DOJ all apparently contributed to the lies and attacks. Remember falsified FISA warrants to spy on Trump campaign?
All of this and they almost got away with impeachment or worse. And absolutely nothing happened to any of these perpetrators! They got away with it. So, if there is no accountability or risks… why wouldn’t they be doing it again?
Trump has had 6 YEARS of basically HARASSMENT from Lefty’s and the Democrats.
This 4th A. incursion has shown the Tyrannical ways this world is headed. IT MUST STOP AT ALL COSTS! Yes, even a world war which in essence, we are in.
No EDIT or DELETE MESSAGE?
Sorry, I can’t post here anymore.
The deep state is in a drowning ship and no rescue available. This is what happens when you lie, cheat and steal. That doesn’t even include the disgusting, life removing things. What they have been doing to our President Trump is wrong every which way to Sunday. Their due is near. Our God wins, they lose!
The raid on MAL appears to have been designed to create maximum anger among Trump supporters. Dems/DOJ/FBI/MSM want to prove Trump supporters are unhinged and violent.
Tragically, keep depriving us of our Constitutional and or our inalienable rights and violence is all that remains. Dems/DOJ/FBI/MSM know this. It is their goal.
I think that this “raid” is a sign of the breakdown of our society. We must save our country from further decline by being part of the fix. Voting local elections is the fix!
This is corrupt on so many levels it’s hard to know where to even begin this damn bs is to cover up their own corruption if they can do this to the real President Donald Trump just imagine what the 87 thousand IRS, Are going to do to the working class people of United States it’s going to be a bloodbath.
Trump is a traitor. Period. People that are defending him ARE traitors.
I’ve all the wrongdoings in the last six years why is Donald J Trump is the only man that is paying for it Donald Trump has got to run again and this time win because the whole country knows the whole world knows that Donald Trump won the last election everybody in the United States knows even those that are in denial why do they want to crash this country and make it a fourth power nation
The SCOTUS should step in the Biden clowns need to all go to jail they stole the election and none of this would be happening ,TRUMP was elected this would’nt be happening if Biden and the Dems would’nt have rigged the election
Growing up I learned we may not like the President but you never bad mouth him or our country! Daughter of a Vietnam war time Vetran, Grandpa WWII both army, and Husband Desert Storm time Marine! All honorable hard working men! Taught me more than they could ever know! Sadly all lost to Suicide! While here however, I gained so much respect for our country and how we came to be! As a child abuse survivor of torture sexual mental physical abuse for five years after my mother left my dad, I was still always looking for good in everyone I’ve ever met! Hold degrees in Psychology And Human behaviors, ran Mental Health Groups with my clients now independent and proud of their new lives! Then was told to teach people to remain on disability, & convince them they were broken! I could not! President Trump was the 1st to hold office that I have ever seen that was honest, transparent, did what he said even beyond! Arrest of HIGH profile criminal human trafficking demons were made at record speeds! I will forever be great full that someone in power cared for the little guys! This attack on his home is unjust and rather criminal, starting at the very top! They all need arrested and held publicly accountable, as well as forced to give back the trillions of stolen $$ spent on democrat lies! All of it! Stop attacking our farmers, truckers, and reposes every bit of land and any business owned by a foreign entity before there’s nothing left to save! In Jesus Name rebuke the demons restore America 1 Nation Under God! Amen ????
At present, each and every federal bureau of intimidation officer is a liar, a traitor, and a thief of paycheck until proven innocent. ‘nuff said tc
This is a symptom of pure psychopathic arrogance and we the people are absolutely not going to accept this overreach of corporate governments on our president or ourselves! Say something and better yet DO SOMETHING! Stand up against tyrants who are the dark forces and the principalities the Bible spoke of! Just saying like IT IS:)~????