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

Virginia State Sen. L. Louise Lucas' office was raided by the FBI as part of a federal corruption and illegal cannabis business probe.

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.

However. reports surfaced after the raid that the investigation into the 81-year-old, three-decade senator was started under former PresidentJoe Biden’s administration.

Scandal-plagued Attorney General Jay Jones. whose comments about envisioning the murder of the commonwealth’s former GOP House Speaker roiled his ultimately successful campaign, cast aspersions on PresidentDonald Trumpand "failed prosecutions" of his political "enemies."

"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. office," he said of the Alexandria-centered prosecutor’s office that handles cases in Lucas’ region.

POWERFUL DEM’S JABS AT TRUMP COME BACK TO HAUNT HER AFTER OFFICE RAIDED BY FBI: ‘AGED WELL’

President Joe Biden winks while hosting U.S. governors. their spouses for a black-tie dinner after the National Governors Association meetings in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2024.(Saul Loeb/AFP)

"These include the failed prosecutions against President Trump’s stated political enemies. former FBI DirectorJames Comeyand New York Attorney General Letitia James, that were both dismissed by a judge well before trial. I urge everyone to exercise restraint in judgment until the relevant facts are known in this matter," Jones said. referring in part to allegations of wrongdoing in connection to a home linked to James in nearby Norfolk.

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

"While we await the full facts of the investigation. it must be acknowledged that this FBI raid occurs in the broader context of President Trump’s repeated abuse of theDepartment of Justiceto target his perceived political opponents," Scott said, before adding the raid’s timing after Virginia voters approved Lucas’ redistricting bid is notable.

"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. former Attorney General James Comey.

"Like all Americans, Senator Lucas has aright to due processand a presumption of innocence," Scott said.

One of Lucas’ top allies in Richmond. a fellow Portsmouth lawmaker also expressed outrage and pointed the finger at theWhite House.

"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.

"Given the politicization of this administration — an FBI led byKash Pateland a Justice Department run by President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney — I think people should take this with a grain of salt. allow the facts to come out before jumping to conclusions," he said.

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

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Sen. L. Louise Lucas speaks on the Senate floor at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. Va., March 8, 2024.(Minh Connors/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

TheAssociated Press, New York Times. other outlets reported several sources within the federal government telling them the probe that sparked the raids began under the octogenarian Delawarean.

"One of the people said the investigation into Democratic Sen. L. Louise Lucas was opened during Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoingcriminal investigation," the AP reported.

Another official toldNews of the United States(NOTUS) that the probe into Lucas was "financial" in nature. that it began under Biden, while The New York Times characterized the origin similarly and suggested "corruption and bribery" concerns.

Lucas’ deputy in Richmond also fired off a missive lambasting Trump. claiming he has proven his intent to "target the Commonwealth of Virginia" because it voted forKamala Harrisin 2024.

"Senator L. Louise Lucas is an outspoken. historic figure in Virginia politics and has not been charged with a single crime," saidSenate Majority LeaderScott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon.

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,. "purged" prosecutors’ offices of career staff members.

"Every Virginian should be very worried about the rule of law. 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. 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. silence the voices who stand up to them," Lucas said.

"I was proud to help lead [the redistricting] effort,. 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. "lots of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) zombies will believe you immediately."

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and House Speaker Don Scott Jr. are pictured together in a photo.(Minh Connors for The Washington Post/Shannon Finney/Getty Images for SEIU)

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

The raid began a 48-hour period for Virginia Democrats. who on Friday saw Lucas’redistricting effort implode in court, giving Republicans nationally a major boost in their efforts to hold the House majority.

Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.

Charles coversmedia,politicsand culture for Fox News Digital.

Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.