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Rep. Trey Gowdy, (R-SC), on the investigation into the ‘Fast & Furious’ operation.
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Meanwhile the White House continues to effectively Stonewall a number of issues a White House national security staff member.
Refused.
A request by the inspector general for an interview.
And the White House refuse to produce any internal documents -- is investigation.
Because the White House said it is beyond the purview.
Of the inspector general.
Joining us now.
One of the leaders of the congressional investigation in the fast and furious congressman trade got a a memorable the house oversight and judiciary committee's.
Congressman got a first thank you for being here secondly this report I'm gonna say -- that this at the very outset.
A year and a half and then make.
Was it worth the wait.
I'll probably not from this sample and I don't offered that as an indictment on mister Horwitz in my think.
-- as good -- job as he could and he's only been on the job for five months but.
You know -- twenty months ago when I came on -- show I could tell you.
The earth was round the surface of the sun.
-- hot Cindy Crawford is attractive and ATF in the US attorney's office messed up I could have told you all of that when he months ago.
What I think we know now that we.
Some of us knew back then -- but the validation -- from this independent.
Of body that is not shackled -- all the politics it.
That they get to this -- -- mr.
-- its myself but we had an independent.
Newt's role.
Oh archer who who by the way -- friends were there a quarter and -- Lanny brewer and want to -- included.
I would -- you concert that I would -- be in my opinion.
They -- this have burned ballots interview.
To me this document is more a defence document it is more a public relations document than it is a a strong report.
On a a vigorous investigation.
I find it let's take a look at one of the first comments on blogs that your your view on a couple of the things that inspector general said so which -- part of that first full screen please.
ATF and the US attorney's office share equal responsibility for the strategic operational failures in operations wide receiver and fast and furious.
This inspector general -- his report complaints wide receiver and operation fast and furious.
-- for the life of me I cannot imagine why and why would not -- -- -- one of the discrete subtle.
Differences is that no one died in wide receiver.
And at least 201 people died.
In operation fast and -- they were murdered.
-- that's a big distinction here's another distinction at least -- wide receiver they made an effort to interdict weapons although that effort was unsuccessful.
I think I get this sense that you started with wide receiver.
To try to build credibility with the Democrats on the committee who are constantly clamoring to go -- to the bush administration for every issue that -- this country.
I'll I'll read that is as -- -- -- bone deep rooted them to say okay you wanna talk about wide receiver we'll talk about it but that does not mitigate or excuse fast and here.
Yes but let's take a look at another what if we can bring up this -- stream.
Quotation from the report -- -- Said the inspector general mr.
-- as did the Department of Justice that it's February 4 2011 response letter to senator Grassley contained in accuracy.
Particularly its assertion.
That AT half makes every effort to interdict weapons that have been purchased illegally and prevent their transportation to Mexico.
Or.
Inaccuracies.
And actually -- as you well know we actually knew that -- the inspector general concluded it what but I -- offer a couple things or not they.
Then again -- the court of public opinion.
We get blamed so much is that this is a political which -- -- -- just walk on air reporter here somebody who likes airport.
And cited deficiency after the fish -- -- after deficiency within the Department of Justice.
The wiretap application process this inspector general used to preside over that when he was at the Department of Justice.
We asked the attorney general repeatedly in committee hearings are you sure there was nothing in these wiretap applications to put the -- notice of gun walking.
That it -- -- -- haven't bothered to read the wiretap applications many said yes I'm sure there's not just what he was wrong you're about it's about Lanny brewer.
No I don't know what Eric -- -- -- -- border repeatedly have you read the wiretap advocate Lanny brewer is where the attorney -- moment of the inspector general and I do part ways I think later brewers have been gone months and months and months -- I want to go to a couple more real quickly congress your literature example a lot of time here.
We further found that given the the deputy assistant attorney general Weinsteins this.
February march and April of gun walking issues and operational rock wide receiver coupled with the information you learned about operation fast and furious.
Should have caused him to read the affidavit and ask questions about the operational details of operation fast and furious.
The inspector general just through -- Weinstein under the bus left borrower alone and eleven other folks.
I understand the way the way things worked there in Washington.
And how everybody's got to have a little piece of the action.
But the American people gotta be able to look to an inspector general and seek the truth here because this even this inspector general concluded.
That they live in February of last year they lied again in May and they didn't correct the record won't -- until.
Months later.
-- well I I'll do you -- better than that we asked repeatedly by -- -- today.
Atlanta Hebrew word for awarded that February 4 -- that you just made reference to to his personal private email account and he responded.
Good job now with the inspector general asked Lanny brewer did you read the letter he said I don't -- called that I did.
The inspector general -- not the FBI he's not -- a federal prosecutor he can't pursue.
The criminal charges.
Essentially he has to take you about a -- I don't -- call that you what I do not have to take you read it word.
It is border -- that he didn't read it he's not a historian he's not a archive -- why else would you for the letter to your personal you felt like down.
And attorney general should get rid of -- -- not not the inspector general being -- Attorney general should get rid of him.
It's congressman -- you chairman -- I saw all of the members of your committee house oversight committee.
And congress from Lamar Smith ahead of the Judiciary Committee.
All of you worked hard you work diligently.
And in and it and you performer republic service.
But is extraordinarily.
Disappointing to see that we as a nation do not have a government.
That any longer has the apparatus with which to seek out and determine the truth.
Either that or we do not have the public servants in the executive branch of the United States -- feel a compelling responsibility.
To perform that service for the American people we thank you very much congress.
