Dems blast Trump over Virginia FBI raid, but probe started under his predecessor

Democrats accused the Trump administration of political prosecution after powerful Virginia Senate President Pro Tem L. Louise Lucas' Portsmouth office and cannabis dispensary were raided by the FBI.

"We simply do not have sufficient information about the reported FBI activity in Portsmouth. However, several previous actions of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia have undermined public confidence in that office," he said of the Alexandria-centered prosecutor's office that handles cases in Lucas' region.

Rep. Bobby Scott, a Newport News Democrat who has represented Lucas' area for 33 years, slammed Trump after the raid.

"Senator Lucas helped lead the successful effort by Virginia voters to reject President Trump's attempt to rig the midterm elections," he said, echoing Jones' concerns about recent Trump-era prosecutions like those of James, Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell and former Attorney General James Comey.

"Let's start with this: Senator L. Louise Lucas has not been charged with anything! I am deeply concerned by today's FBI raid," fumed Virginia House Speaker Don Scott Jr.

Speaker Scott said "theatrics and speculation" are overpowering verifiable information about the case before also criticizing Fox News' reporting of the matter.

Surovell, an attorney in Fairfax County, said Trump "obliterated" the Justice Department's independence and said the president wrongly removed ex-U.S. Attorney for Western Virginia Todd Gilbert, the same official Jones envisioned the murder of, and "purged" prosecutors' offices of career staff members.

"Every Virginian should be very worried about the rule of law and how it will be applied in this country and our commonwealth," Surovell said in a statement.

Lucas fired back in a statement obtained by Richmond conservative radio host John Reid, the 2024 GOP lieutenant gubernatorial nominee.

"Today's actions by federal agents are about far more than one state senator; they are about power and who is allowed to act on behalf of the people. What we saw fits a clear pattern from this administration: When challenged, they try to intimidate and silence the voices who stand up to them," Lucas said.

"I was proud to help lead [the redistricting] effort, and I have never been afraid to stand up to Donald Trump or anyone else that has tried to undermine our democracy," she said, adding she is not backing down and will continue fighting for and representing Portsmouth.

"LOL, sure Louise," Reid said in response on social media.

"Everyone knows you're as honest and pure-hearted as the day is long."

Reid said casting blame on Trump is the "best play" in this situation because "lots of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) zombies will believe you immediately."

No further information has been released by the FBI about any charges against Lucas, who was not detained in the operation.