Lindsay Graham, Senator from South Carolina, has demanded that FBI Director Christopher Wray explain the over the top raid his agents delivered to Roger Stone.
It was more extreme than they are when they raid the home of a drug dealer. Usually, in these cases, they just call and ask when you can come in and surrender. Obviously, the judge saw it the same way because Stone did not have to put up a dime for bail.
He is also very curious about how CNN happened to show up an hour before the raid and were able to video tape the raid without FBI interference.
“I am concerned about the manner in which the arrest was effectuated, especially the number of agents involved, the tactics employed, the timing of the arrest, and whether the FBI released details of the arrest and the indictment to the press prior to providing this information to Mr. Stone’s attorneys,” he wrote.
Graham said although he has supported Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s ability to conduct his investigation without interference, he is “leery” that a subject of the investigation was arrested in this manner.
Specifically, he asked Wray to answer:
- Why was it necessary to arrest Mr. Stone at his home in the early morning hours rather than working through his attorneys to permit him to surrender voluntarily?
- Was the manner of Mr. Stone’s arrest consistent with the arrests of, and procedure for the arrests of, similarly charged individuals?
- We’re usual procedure for obtaining and executing arrest and search warrants followed with regard to Mr. Stone?
- Did the Special Counsel’s office issue a press release and release the indictment to the press prior to informing Mr. Stone’s attorneys of the arrest?
- Did anyone at the FBI, DOJ, or the Special Counsel’s office alert CNN, any other media outlet, or anyone outside of law enforcement that the arrest was going was going to occur on the morning of January 25, 2019?