For the past two years Rep. Charles Rangel has come under intense scrutiny and was recently hit with 13 charges of misusing his office, as well as tax and disclosure violations. In what has become a firestorm not only on Capitol Hill but also on the streets of New York, insiders and some pundits are speculating as to whether this public "lynching" of Rangel is of a more sinister nature.

As the first African American to chair the oldest and most powerful committee in the House of Representatives, the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Rangel wields tremendous power in the House. He is also vice chairman for the Joint Committee on Taxation where he presides over tax revenue legislation and maintains oversight authority over major issues of the day, such as economic policy, international trade, welfare, Social Security, Medicare and health care.

Representative Yvette D. Clarke wasted no time in firing back at Rangel's critics. In a statement to the media, Rep. Clarke, defended her colleague's right to due process when she reminded folks that, "One of the great virtues of American jurisprudence is that everyone is afforded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This fundamental civil right must extend to members of Congress, including Congressman Charles Rangel."

For years, the Congressman has been considered by many to be a "friend of the Caribbean" for his work towards equity and fair trade agreements between the United States and her Caribbean neighbors. Rep. Rangel was instrumental in the passage of a major expansion of the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which provides reduced duties for products made in the Caribbean. The decorated Korean War veteran told reporters, "I take small comfort in knowing that there is no allegation that I have been guilty of corruption or self dealing or any of the things some reports have been saying."

Nonetheless, the "Lion of Harlem" is in grave danger of losing support from fellow Democrats, many of whom are publicly asking the veteran lawmaker to step down. However, Clarke encouraged naysayers to "allow the Ethics Committee to complete its review and render its decision prior to drawing conclusions on the allegations." Rep. Clarke emphasized, "He deserves to be treated fairly and without prejudice."

Still, New Yorkers are speaking up and speaking loudly about the case against Charlie Rangel. "Why now, why are they doing this to him, now?" asked long time activist and Harlem street vendor Shabazz. "It's because he's the 'baddest' Black man up in there," he said, answering his own question. Shabazz has been a resident of Harlem for more than 50 years and says he remembers when a young Charlie Rangel came into office. "It was at a time when they [the U.S. House of Representatives] were running Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. out of office based on a lot of bogus charges because he defied them. He was chased out of there like a dog, and it was Charlie Rangel who got his seat. It was disgusting what they did to Adam Clayton Powell, but here is history repeating itself," he sighed. "Now, here we are 40 years later and Adam Powell's son is running against Charlie Rangel at a time when he's being dragged through the gutter just like they did with his father."

"Look, it's not like he was charged with corruption or anything like those Republicans, especially Rep. Ensign, for example," said, Ronnie Taylor, a Jamaican business owner. "We are too quick to jump to judgment; people should just allow the process to take place," he opined.

Conservative Bill Kristol says Republicans should "just shut up" about Rangel.

Brian Paddington, a long time community activist says he is "very disturbed," especially after hearing President Obama come out and publicly say that he hopes the 80-year-old lawmaker can end his career with dignity. "It's as if this draining the swamp thing has gone haywire – Charlie Rangel is human like everyone else and has been a great representative for the people of Harlem, in particular, and for New Yorkers, in general," said Paddington. He pointed out that not many people are aware that "Health Care Reform was legislature that Rep. Rangel was responsible for bringing to the House. That was his victory as much as it was the President's and the Democrats'. He has been a fighter and he will continue to fight for his reputation, for the people of Harlem, and I support him 100 percent."

Disagreeing with Paddington is Jamaican-born marketer Patrick B., who says "Rangel needs to just step aside now. He's not above the law."

A very passionate Carol Wedderburn, a nurse at Harlem Hospital, says, "People like Rangel spend all their life in politics and think that they are above the law, but they are not, and I am happy that Nancy Pelosi has raised the bar in the way ethics violations are being investigated. If this was during the previous administration, Rangel would have not even been on the radar [because] so many of our elected officials are guilty of taking advantage of the law for personal benefit."

Jamaican radio host Aubrey Campbell, of the weekly radio program Fact of the Matter, said that the whole incident was "unfortunate," especially for someone like Rangel, who has devoted his entire life to serving his constituency.

Echoing similar sentiments is Attorney at Law Judy Richards. She is concerned about the negative impact that a public trial could have on the Democrats in the upcoming mid-term elections in September. "This is going to be a very dirty fight and Republicans already smell blood. If this case goes to public trial as it is set to do, Democrats could be in for a very rough ride," she said.

Nonetheless, Rep. Rangel insists that his half-century career has been about service. He stated, "If I've been overzealous in providing that service, I can't make an excuse for the serious violations. But I have an explanation for my intent." He told reporters, "It's been a very rough period for me and my family, but we all, including my community, will get by this." The congressman insists that he will keep his seat and win re-election come November.