Joe Pitts: “I try to watch the network news every day. I watch some of the political talk shows that cover the strange world of…”

“I try to watch the network news every day. I watch some of the political talk shows that cover the strange world of Washington, D.C. I keep waiting to see some discussion of 18 U.S. Code, section 1503. Most people are not lawyers, but there are a lot of lawyers out there, including a lot of journalists, who know perfectly well what 18 U.S. Code, section 1503 means. It is a criminal statute that absolutely prohibits government employees from interfering in a Federal investigation. Government employees may not attempt to influence, obstruct or impede a Federal investigator. This is not a controversial law. It is obvious that one may not impede or interfere in any way with a Federal investigation. Mafia dons may try it, but a person conducting a smear campaign to intimidate or discredit judicial officials is in violation of the law. It is not even a debatable issue. Due process must proceed without interference immediately, period.”