Holder Hammered on Hill Over 'Gunwalker' Scandal

[teapartysamurai]

Appearing today before the House Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Eric Holder got grilled about the "gunwalker" controversy in which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is accused of allowing guns to get into the hands of criminals in Mexico.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) used asked Holder when first knew about the controversial Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) operation known as "Fast and Furious." Though documents indicate Fast and Furious was started in 2009, Holder told Congress he only learned of it a "few weeks" ago.

That's after a CBS News investigation into allegations about Fast and Furious and other gun trafficking cases. Issa also asked who at the Department of Justice, if not Holder, approved Fast and Furious. Holder stated that he didn't know, but that investigations are underway to find that out.

Attorney General Eric Holder grilled by Congress on ATF "Gunwalker" controversy - CBS News Investigates - CBS News

Did Holder ever see a picture of Truman with that plague on his desk that read "The Buck Stops Here?"

Does he REALLY THINK, "I didn't know about it" clears him of responsibility?

Either he knew, or he is incompetent! And if he didn't know, WHO DID AND WHY IS HOLDER PROTECTING THEM?

I mean seriously. HE'S THE COUNTRY'S TOP LAWYER. If one of us "didn't know" wouldn't he lecture us about "ignorance of the law being no excuse?"

Yet, he can say before "I dunno" before the Judiciary Committee and he thinks that gives him a free pass?

Even if he DIDN'T KNOW. He knew this investigation was coming up. Why didn't he FIND OUT WHO DID KNOW before coming up to testify???

Stupidest idea ever to give guns to Mexican criminals and suddenly everyone has amnesia about who's "bright idea" this was.

 

[teapartysamurai]

More on "GunRunner."

Three Project Gunrunner documents Rep. Darrell Issa, California Republican and House Oversight Committee chairman, released on Wednesday show high-ranking Justice Department officials were aware of Operation Fast and Furious and that there was a consistent administration policy that allowed American guns to be “walked” into Mexican drug cartels’ possession.

One of the documents shows Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer approved a wiretap application for suspects Operation Fast and Furious targeted in March 2010. The wiretap application process is lengthy and cumbersome, and often requires those applying to make strong case as to why they need it. So, Breuer would have been briefed in detail on Operation Fast and Furious before authorizing the wiretap.

Another document, a briefing paper from January 8, 2010, shows the administration’s step-by-step policy decisions and plans. The Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), wrote that the “investigation has currently identified more than 20 individual connected straw purchasers,” or those who bought weapons, under ATF surveillance, with the intent to traffic them to Mexican drug cartels. The briefing paper shows that ATF’s policy was to allow this to happen. “Currently, our strategy is to allow the transfer of firearms to continue to take place, albeit at a much slower pace, in order to further the investigation and allow for the identification of additional co-conspirators who would continue to operate and illegally traffic firearms to Mexican DTOs [Drug Trafficking Organizations] which are perpetrating armed violence along the Southwest Border.”

Project Gunrunner | Justice Department | Documents | The Daily Caller

ISSA: How about the head of the Criminal Division, Lanny Breuer. Did he authorize it?

HOLDER: I’m not sure whether Mr. Breuer authorized it. You have to understand the way in which the Department operates. Although there are operations, this one has become — has gotten a great deal of publicity.

ISSA: Yeah, there are dead Americans as a result of this failed and reckless program. So I would say that it hasn’t gotten enough attention, has it, Mr. Attorney General?
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http://patterico.com/2011/05/03/issa-eviscerates-holder-on-gunrunner/


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