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Rep. Darrell Issa, (R-Ca.), on the Department of Justice’s role in the ATF operation.
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Site committee chairman -- I -- today class for the -- Justice Department official over whether the Justice Department is stonewalling the investigation into the controversial.
Operation fast and furious.
Who at justice authorized this program.
Said mr.
chairman that the office of the inspector general -- at justice and if you know.
I ask uterine cancer who do you know was involved in the authorization of this today I do you know -- prices that justice.
There mister chairman I do not know the answer to that question.
Joining us now from the White House the chairman of the powerful house oversight committee congressman Darrell -- -- Congressman thank you very much for joining us a contentious.
Hearing.
And one that is revelatory.
What is your.
At this point.
What do you believe that is the case did the Justice Department highest authorities -- know about this in disaster is tragic.
Operation -- fast and furious.
Absolutely Lou there's no question that high ranking officials -- just -- were briefed -- -- brief.
And that many of them had direct contacts and authorizing this program.
They now call it a failed program when in fact the very concept the very way they wanted it to be executed was deadly and dangerous.
And we have just watched you asking Ronald Walters assistant attorney general.
About what he knew.
That is a peculiar.
Response from him at least -- in my opinion.
01 -- be straightforward -- what is the point of being there it is to be invasive.
But one of the problems was he signed a letter that was on its face disingenuous which is Washington talk for they lied using clever words.
And when we said look this clearly is not true we've had sworn testimony by three federal agents here plus more that are given depositions.
Very clearly there's been a cover up disingenuous statements.
Half truths and unfortunately even telling us who wrote the letter who compiled -- ultimately is a lie to congress.
He was not prepared to tell.
This is one of the problems as we have not gotten one straight answer from justice yet when they talk about cooperation they give us white pieces of paper -- 100% blacked out.
And call it discovery.
And I -- talking with senator Chuck Grassley.
This that this is going to continue obviously what is your next step.
Well we have subpoenas outstanding those subpoenas are the only reason that -- and senator Grassley tenacious business and holding up.
Confirmations until they cooperate is the only reason we're getting limited cooperation.
The expectation is this.
We will ensure that the family of Brian Terry get the justice they want which includes all people involved with his murder.
To be held accountable but ultimately we have to get accountability Department of Justice in the highest levels of alcohol tobacco firearms.
That this cannot and will not ever happen again and those whose judgments was so we're so bad.
No longer work for the agency.
To put in context how many guns were talking about under fast and furious operation -- -- Or however it is -- we're talking about around 2500.
-- actually an it issue were about 30000 guns confiscated in Mexico that they -- originated United States.
This in insane operation in which.
ATF.
And the agents who resisted it throughout field agents are resisted their upper management.
That's about 10% of the total weapons over that two year period.
Well absolutely and of those -- tens of thousands of weapons found in Mexico a great many of them were 22 caliber.
In this case every wet and weapon bought.
Either was -- -- over sniper rifle fifty caliber AK 47 style or variant wore a cop killing pistol.
They've bought the weapons that kill police that kill law enforcement on both sides of the border.
-- congressman -- -- -- -- we -- you were the American people or you're.
I'm great thanks for carrying out this investigation and we wish you.
Continued gridlock thank you very much appreciate all -- for shedding light on oh thank you.
