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FNC legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. on the House Oversight Committee filing a civil contempt lawsuit against Attorney General Eric Holder in federal c...
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-- established the house oversight committee today filing a civil contempt lawsuit against the attorney general.
Eric Holder was held in contempt of congress in June today's lawsuit filed -- -- DC federal district court.
Six to invalidate the president's assertion of executive privilege.
And to compel holder to hand over fast and furious documents.
That have been subpoenaed.
It also asked -- the Justice Department took.
Well just about a year to correct alive that.
If there communicated in a letter from February of 2011.
That contain details of the reckless investigative tactics that led to.
Of the smuggling.
In fact be coerced smuggling.
Of gun.
Gun shop weapons into the drug cartels in Mexico.
Joining us now is Peter Johnson junior trial and appellate attorney Fox News legal analyst.
Great to have you pleasure.
First what -- What does this lawsuit and the efforts in congress what are the impediments to to prevailing here in in court.
Oh I think if the law -- followed congress went.
The White House -- I have the -- here in front of me filed in the district court Columbus Columbia.
And they're saying listen you know executive privilege is about.
Secret things is about important things that the president.
Is touching about the deliberative process and it's certainly not about the obstruction.
Of justice all -- records relating to the so called.
Obstruction of justice with the efforts by the Department of Justice.
The changes story and then come up with the second story and so the rationale.
In the lawsuit brought by the House of Representatives is.
You can't stand in our way of oversight.
By at the last moment.
Saying oh no this is executive privilege wait eight months.
And unless they say don't know we better declare executive privilege because is gonna come out during the campaign them we're gonna look really bad.
Is it.
Two simple what construction Peter on the part of the chairman of the house oversight committee there -- -- yet decide they'll either executive privilege is not stand here because.
The president was not involved in operation fast and furious.
Or he is guilty of complicity in it because executive privilege.
Can be asserted given his involved.
Yeah that's true either he was involved or -- he was involved.
And that's going to come out because the district judge is gonna look at these documents.
And they can determination.
Is this an extension and over extension of the so called deliberative process or is the president really involved.
So it's interesting it's ironic in some sense if the president was really involved.
And there was some wrongdoing.
Executive privilege might in fact -- And then will never see those documents.
Under that under that sensible.
Give us give us your best debt considered speculation here.
As to what is going to happen and how long it will take for what -- -- to -- Can turn out well the district.
The judge may rule against congress -- a democratic.
Appointee and unfortunately.
That some things.
Comes into consideration DC's a top talent that the but the US attorneys don't ever a -- part about this president the judges.
I just want to uphold the -- so I'm confident that in the end based done not party designation.
But looking -- -- that that the judge is gonna rule in favor of congress either way it's gonna be appealed.
To the to the Circuit Court.
And they'll be a decision there.
You know in the past.
The bush White House tried something similar although under different circumstances and not that this type of deal.
It in the and they lost in court so it's a heavy burden -- to White House to meet.
And that involved actually White House employees cancel -- it didn't involve the White House actually inside the White -- Well it's it's gonna be -- same true that follow and we appreciate your guidance as always -- And you're in your forecast of the outcome I think the house wins in the end.
Or haven't heard for some people they're feeling a lot better tonight after watching analyst -- that they're Johnson thank you very much -- --
