‘Fast and Furious’ report exonerates AG Holder
Yet another major right-wing outrage goes pffffft, as was predicted here almost a year ago.
An internal Justice Department investigation into the Operation Fast and Furious scandal singles out 14 different officials for criticism and possible disciplinary action. But a report out Wednesday found no evidence that the department’s top leaders knew about the gun-walking aspect of the operation when it was underway.
… the investigators found Attorney General Eric Holder didn’t know about the controversial operation until after the scandal emerged in the wake of the discovery of two weapons linked to the operation at the scene of the shooting death of a Border Patrol agent in December 2010.
The investigative report (available here) was harshly critical of the operation itself, as it should have been, noting that “the investigations were seriously flawed in several respects, most significantly in their failure to adequately consider the risk to public safety in the United States and Mexico.” None of that was a surprise; the operation has been widely acknowledged as botched.
However, the report exonerated Holder, finding that “we determined that Attorney General Holder did not learn about Operation Fast and Furious until late January or early February 2011 and was not aware of allegations of “gun walking” in the investigation until February…..
We found that Attorney General Holder had no involvement in drafting or reviewing the February 4 letter that he decided to withdraw in December 2011 after concluding that it contained inaccuracies. …. we determined that Holder had no part in the fact-gathering, editing, or approval process that led to the Department’s issuance of an inaccurate response on February 4.”
Holder’s response is a study in understatement:
“It is unfortunate that some were so quick to make baseless accusations before they possessed the facts about these operations – accusations that turned out to be without foundation and that have caused a great deal of unnecessary harm and confusion. I hope today’s report acts as a reminder of the dangers of adopting as fact unsubstantiated conclusions before an investigation of the circumstances is completed.”
Holder may hope for such a thing, but even he knows that hope is in vain.
– Jay Bookman
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527 comments Add your comment
Jm
September 19th, 2012
11:04 pm
Getalife
Yes housing is recovering
Good for America
Obama did nothing on housing
Things eventually sort themselves out
Brosephus™
September 19th, 2012
11:06 pm
I’m just saying that an “internal investigation” by the DOJ – on the DOJ is something that should not be accepted.
Why not? The Inspector General is appointed by the president, but he has to report to Congress as part of his job. Isn’t Congress the one that’s pushing for this investigation? Should taxpayers have to cough up extra money for a special investigator kinda like the Ken Starr thing again?
We allow politicians to sow the seeds of distrust to the point that we can’t even trust fellow citizens will do what is right. As the IG is appointed by the POTUS, there’s nothing that Holder could do to him, so I don’t think there’s any pressure that could be put on him to shade his report. From what I’ve read so far, the report sounds just about like the things I’ve seen on this so far.
G Mare
September 19th, 2012
11:08 pm
Oscar, Oscar, are you here? Are Getalife & I here all alone?
G Mare
September 19th, 2012
11:10 pm
Oh, hi, Bro. We are not alone!
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
September 19th, 2012
11:13 pm
G & Bro – I dropped in too. just got through reading about how the republicans in the senate VETOED a “back to work ” bill for returning G.I.’s.
They should make every last one of the repugs that vetoed that bill suit up and go into afghanistan and iraq and tunisia and libya ANYWhere that a regular soldier goes to.
Just to show their solidarity.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
September 19th, 2012
11:13 pm
Oh well, I looked at the clock. I’m dropping out for the night! have a good one everybody.
Brosephus™
September 19th, 2012
11:17 pm
I was just breezin’ through. I’m supposed to be kicking z’s right about now. I’ll try to catch up with y’all tomorrow..
getalife
September 19th, 2012
11:20 pm
GMare,
Oscar was here earlier.
Debbie,
Yeah, they said there was no way to pay for it.
Towncrier
September 19th, 2012
11:33 pm
Here are the Top Ten Signs Letterman is a Liberal Shmendrik:
10) He thinks the Torah is a WWII film.
He called Donald Trump a racist when he really meant a fascist.
9) He keeps muttering “16 trillion, 16 schmillion”.
7) He thinks the New York Times is a scientific, peer-reviewed publication.
6) He keeps stammering “uh, uh, uh” while trying to think of something to say.
5) He almost underwent a sex change operation, but backed out when he discovered the city wouldn’t pay for it.
4) He thinks someone as rich as he is shouldn’t run for president but only criticize those who do.
3) He surround himself with other liberals willing to listen to his monologues.
2) He actually thinks his opinion is important enough to interject it whenever he can.
1) When Obama appeared recently on his show, he fell down and licked the prersident’s shoes.
MLeake
September 19th, 2012
11:34 pm
Is anybody surprised an internal report, from the Justice Department’s own Inspector General, would cast a flattering light on upper management?
Seems to me some of the regulars here would insist on a citizen’s review board or external agency review for a police officer or deputy related shooting, and are quick to cry whitewash when a department clears its own.
So, why the double standard?
And why does nobody seem to care that Holder may have been the first Cabinet member in history to be allowed to retract testimony before Congress?
My guess is the root causes for both are the same.
Towncrier
September 19th, 2012
11:39 pm
“Is anybody surprised an internal report, from the Justice Department’s own Inspector General, would cast a flattering light on upper management?”
External investigators, auditors, etc, are THE best way of preventing cover-ups, malfeasance and the like. Anyone who suggests otherwise is not being honest.
G Mare
September 19th, 2012
11:45 pm
Debbie do, if you are still here, I saw that report re our veterans. All I can say is, JUST DAMN! To pay for it, if nothing else, assess every 1%er who’s kids never served. Mr. Romney has 5 of ‘em. That should bring a few bucks at least. SIGH!
Oscar
September 20th, 2012
12:06 am
G Mare
Hope you had a good day. How did your medical test go. Ok, I hope.
Matti
September 20th, 2012
12:19 am
I’m seriously loving this commercial with the dog that eats the VW keys and Johnny Cash singing. If you have insomnia, it just doesn’t get much better than that!
G Mare
September 20th, 2012
12:28 am
Hi, Oscar. Two tests next Tuesday & 2 more on Friday. Friday’s include COLONOSCOPY. Already been told to cut out my favorite vices. Well, just Damn! I like my vices; that’s why I have ‘em! So we shall see. Thank you for remembering; I will let you know.
Here’s me: What do you mean I HAVE TO QUIT DRINKING WINE!?! NOT TO MENTION SMOKING! I HAVE BEEN SMOKING FOR OVER 50 YEARS! YEAH, LIKE THAT’S GONNA HAPPEN. SIGH!!!
G Mare
September 20th, 2012
12:30 am
Matti, haven’t seen that commercial, but Johnny Cash – YES!
ken
September 20th, 2012
12:43 am
Jay, Internal Justice Department, says it all. Get real.
G Mare
September 20th, 2012
12:51 am
Yo, Ken, are you perchance related to or have an affinity for Kennith Starr? Just askin’.
Bernie
September 20th, 2012
12:52 am
Once again we now see that the Committee of the House of Represenatives Chaired by Darrel Issa, was totally wrong about the Obama administration’s involvement in this total mess.
Rep Issa, who has one of if not the longest rap sheets of any member who has ever served in the Congress, owes the Attourny General one heck of a lot more than an weak apology for his own actions as Chairman of the witch hunt of AG Holder.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
September 20th, 2012
2:08 am
make Issa personally liable for the cost of the witch hunt
and that crap will stop. yknow personal responsibility, cons
He’d have to steal a lot more cars to pay for dat mon
St Simons - he-ne-ha
September 20th, 2012
2:42 am
Nate Silver says we have a 1 in 3 chance of flipping the House,
and the number is rising. good times
seabeau
September 20th, 2012
5:39 am
Jay,You are such a Riot! You mean the DOJ coverup for the Head of the DOJ!! And Obamsa!!
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
September 20th, 2012
6:06 am
What was Mitt thinkin’?
http://cheezburger.com/6594650880
Jm
September 20th, 2012
6:19 am
When it comes to the Obama administration libs are ideological believers in self regulation and self oversight. It obviously works for the good guys.
Just not for bad private industry.
Common Freaking Sense isn't very Common
September 20th, 2012
7:00 am
Normal
Mitt only seems comfortable in the QUIET rooms
Van Jones
September 20th, 2012
7:27 am
They BOTH suck
C’mon, that “my dad can beat up your dad” shtick is tired. Besides, you’re picking a fight with the wrong guy. I want them ALL held accountable! That’s what you can do for me today.
Todd Lowery
September 20th, 2012
10:25 am
While no overt act of wrong doing by the Attorney General was found, there is an obvious insubordination of duty somewhere down the chain, which led to Terry’s death. This is still negligent in terms of running a loose ship. If policies were tighter and command was more adhered to, Holder would have been more aware of what his people were doing and his command would have been more closely followed. If Holder didn’t know what was happening, this just shows how disconnected he is from his post and unaware he was of the contempt for his leadership that apparently exists. How many other officers have to be put unnecessarily in harms way before Holder discovers and adequately assesses the extent of his loose ship and make the changes necessary to ensure the safety of American citizens and the Border Agents who protect us? I believe depraved indifference certainly applies in Holders case.