Branching out

More on the outrage from prominent Republican leaders over the Executive Branch's investigation in a sitting congressman's office. The AP:

House Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio told reporters Tuesday that the Congress will somehow speak to “this issue of the Justice Department’s invasion of the legislative branch. In what form, I don’t know.”

“I’ve got to believe at the end of the day it’s going to end up across the street at the Supreme Court,” Boehner said.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert said the Justice Department had never before crossed a line that separates Congress from the executive branch by searching a congressional office while investigating a member of Congress.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Tuesday he understood the concerns of some members of Congress about the search and said he was working with lawmakers as to how to handle the investigation.

“We’re in discussion privately about what can be done to alleviate the concerns,” Gonzales said at a Justice Department news conference. “I ... and the department have a great deal of respect for the Congress as a coequal branch of government ... and obviously are sensitive to their concerns. We are working to address those concerns. We have discussions with the House. Those began last night.”

I think the White House was caught by surprise on this one -- though they should not have been. The FBI's search through Foggo's offices at CIA raised eyebrows just a few weeks ago, NY Times wire.

What does this demonstrate? A lack of sensitivity to the Congress? The rule of law? An overemphasis on the power of the Executive?

Or, a mistake-prone B-Team?