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Subscribe to RSSNBC News has obtained a copy of a seven-page letter from House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa to Barack Obama that raises the stakes in the stand-off between Congress and the attorney general.
In the letter, Issa challenges the president's assertion of executive privilege over documents sought by the committee in the "Operation Fast & Furious" investigation.
Issa requests the president provide a formal, legal justification for the privilege claim and a list of specific documents covered by it.
Issa points to case law that maintains executive privilege is reserved for direct presidential decision-making.
The California Republican ratchets up the pressure by stating that either the president's "most senior advisers were involved in managing Operation Fast & Furious ... and the fallout" or the White House is asserting "a presidential power that you know to be unjustified solely for the purpose of further obstructing a congressional investigation."
The letter includes the president's own public statements that neither he nor Holder knew about or authorized the operation.
Issa asks why and the attorney general was offering certain documents last week with the condition that the contempt citation be dropped but the next day those same documents were shielded by executive privilege.
The chairman says there has been no explanation for how Holder could tell the president that releasing the documents would result in "significant damaging consequences" only hours after saying he could provide them to congressional leaders if contempt was off the table.
Rep. Issa: No evidence of White House cover-up in 'Fast and Furious' gun-running case
The chairman goes through the history of the case, the death of border agent Brian Terry and reminds the president that Attorney General Holder provided false information to Congress on Feb. 4, 2011 in a letter that denied the gun operation permitted illegally bought weapons to cross into Mexico.
The Justice Department retracted that denial months later. Issa pointedly states that lying to Congress is a crime itself and says the subpoenaed documents pertain to Holder's denial and internal communications that brought about the subsequent correction.
In a new request, Issa also asks for any communications between the White House and Justice between the date of the false denial and June 18, 2012, the day before privilege was asserted.
Issa rejects criticism that the contempt vote is purely political. He complains that Holder referred to the committee's action as an "election-year tactic."
Issa writes that "nothing could be further from the truth. This statement not only betrays a total lack of understanding of our investigation, it exemplifies the stonewalling we have consistently faced."
Still, the House Oversight Chairman tells the president he is "hopeful the Attorney General will provide the specified documents so that we can work towards resolving this matter short of a contempt citation."
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Issa is flying past his nest, his fragile ego is getting the best of him. Why there is no investigation regarding Bush's time?. It smells from afar, WITCH HUNT in election year , the lazy Congress did nil all year now they want to create an impression that they are working as their approval rating is 10%
From what I understand Obama waited longer than anyone since FDR to declare executive priviledge. It is incredible to me that an individual can be charged with lying to congress when congress is made of up theives and liars. You notice they never go on trial for lying to the public or each other for that matter.
obozo the self proclaimed king of obozoville (formerly known as america)
obozo even told multiple lies in his biography
Yep - that is too funny - He hires a biographer to write his story and the biographer debunks about all of Obama's claims about his ancestors and racial issues Obama faced as a non-employed person. The Biographer told Tom Brokaw that Obama lied about 39 times in his books
Obama Bin Lyin...Any Questions?
Does presidential executive privilege cover everyone in his administration, in this case the attorney general? That would be nice. Sort of like immuning your entire staff from criminal prosecution.
Executive privelege has been invoked by presidents from both parties for longer than Newsvine posters have been walking the earth. It is always to hide something. The only questions are (1) what is Obama hiding, and (2) is he legally (Constitutionally) allowed to do so.
Yep good points and I have to admit that Obama has done a good job with not using this tool especially compared to the last four presidents
The cover up is always worse than the crime.
There is something in those documents that Holder and Obama don't want to become public. Aren't you lefties even a little curious as to why, at the 11th hour, Obama claimed executive privilege?
I didn't like it when Bush did it and I don't like it now. Our nation, and the families of those killed by these weapons, are entitled to the truth - no matter who it makes look bad.
Bush & Cheney invoked EP at every turn during their duplicitous 8 years in office. The Obama administration passed on the information originally requested months ago. This is nothing but another right wing misdirection ploy.
Did your mother never teach you that just because your friend jumps off of a cliff that doesn't mean you should jump too?
I agree. I think EP is over used and in most cases, an abuse. But two wrongs don't make a right.
Again, aren't you even just a teeny bit curious what's in the documents after 2/4/10 that Holder doesn't want made public?
Issa, you're making a mountain out of a mole hill and nobody cares.
Why don't you investigate that Texan town drunk war criminal that is responsible for tens of thousands civilian deaths, close to 5,000 dead and thousands of wounded US soldiers and trillions of taxpayer dollars in which 50% went to Bush/Cheney's corporate war profiteering buddies.
This gun deal is Stupid, NO ONE is gonna take our guns--EVER. Gun dealers talk down Obama, then turn around and VOTE for him. They know the lies about gun control make them tons of MONEY. Stupid is, stupid DOES-Forrest GUMP-- Do your job ISSA, Help your people and fix GOV. and problems. FREEDOM!!!!
President Obama will have to answer to a court as to why these documents are to be protected. He is stonewalling to delay the anwers until after the election. He has pushed lots of things to happen after the elections. Lots of the ACA bill will not kick in until after the elections because the damaging parts were planned to occur after the elections. It doesn't take a rocket scientists to see the connection. Issa must stay on this, the American people deserve to have an answer.
Walter you need to get a job or better yet a life and quit watching FAUX news
I didn't get it from fox news, I listen to multiple news stories and stations. You need to get away from the MSNBC station and open your eyes and ears! Do some research and stop quoting Dem talking points.
Walter I fags name. You do quit well quoting FAUX NEWS
Typical response.
"No leader is "privileged" to break or ignore laws, especially ones he has sworn an oath before God and the American People to uphold." Are you kidding, G. W. Bush did it for 8 years!
Where was Issa when Bush II asserted the priviledge? Where was Issa when we headed into war?
"When George W. Bush used it to protect Rove from various investigations, notably
concerning his role as White House political boss in the partisan and lawless
dismissal of seven United States Attorneys for partisan revenge." NM
"Bush asserted the same level of privilege as Obama when he told Republican House members In 2001 that they could not obtain Justice Department internal documents
concerning President Clinton’s fundraising activities. That claim extended the
cloak of privilege to officers of a Cabinet department under a previous
president. Bush likewise claimed privilege to frustrate investigations of the
military coverup of the death of Pat Tillman in Afghanistan and the FBI’s
coddling of Boston mobster, informant, and killer Whitey Bulger." NM
Past out on the floor of the men's room in the house - Bush II Destroyed this Country and Obama is carrying on the Bush II doctrine -
Do the facts confuse you, Gerard?
This would be funny if it wasn't such a rotten piece of journalism. I am shocked that Kelly O'Donnell would even write something this bad. Sorry NBC, this is not even a news story and you should know it.
The President is required by law to give Issa this information. This whole procedure was talked about at one of the recent committee hearings. Issa didn't even need to write this letter, and he certainly could have done it in one paragraph. Instead he is completely grandstanding and has become the darling of the media.
The real story should be about what a complete ass Issa is. He has had an ax to grind with Obama since he took office. Not to mention how his Obama-is-going-to-take-away-2nd-amendment-rights conspiracy theory is a lie.
It's no wonder that people do not understand anything that goes on in government when the people writing national news stories themselves don't.
Issa is doing nothing wrong in trying to find out who lied and who is covering up what happened to cause the death of a border guard. Holder and Obama are causing the problem by not disclosing the documents requested. Holder has given up 7600 documents, but none what Issa has requested. Don't you find this questionable at best?! Remember a person died, unlike any other executive privilege that has been used in the past. If this was your son or daughter wouldn't you want to know??
Try to keep up. As of their last request, the GOP on the committee is requesting 1300 documents. That's all. The EO was issued to protect ongoing investigations, which could result in agents covers being blown and lives being put at risk. Apparently that is less important than trying to make Obama a one-term President by spinning tall tales.
why is this low life still in congress, He is completely incomptent and please get a new hair piece. President owes nothing to this Repub. maybe it is time to get ride of the hair piece.
The only low lifes are those that won't allow the truth to come out. Don't you think the parents of the killed border guard are entitled to know what happened and who is to blame.
Yes blame Bush he started the program, or did you not pay attention
Steve I am so sick of people conflating these two programs. Guns involved in the program during Bushes administration had GPS trackers in them and when guns went across the border, the Mexican government was informed so they could pick the criminals up. The program was DISCONTINUED in 2007 after the criminals started disabling the GPS trackers and the guns couldn't be located.
The program under this administration NEVER HAD GPS trackers. They never even informed the Mexican government they were walking guns across the border.
Do I think it was some left wing plot designed to infringe on gun ownership rights? No.
I think it was a bumbled operation led by a group of incompetents who report to this childish, in over their heads, administration.
Bush like other presidents did invoke executive privilege, but NO ONE DIED. Comparing Obama's action to previous presidents is really a joke. Also, why do people, especially Obama blame others...no backbone?! I think Obama and Holder will stonewall this investigation until after the election. Why did Obama get involved to protect his buddy Holder or himself or both? Issa stated he didn't think this mess went as high as the president, but the executive privilege ploy, might change his mind...it changed my mind. I am an independent and vote for, in my mind, the best person for the office...right now I would never vote for Obama...you can't trust him!!!!
Good for you , why don't you vote for mittens, who is ten times worse and sneaky, take a look at MASS
Get off the political band wagon and look at what happened. A border guard was killed by someone's stupid idea. If this was you son or daughter wouldn't you want to know what happened and who is to blame?!
so obozo gives guns to the mexican drug dealers who then kill hundreds of people in mexico and an american agent...no big..
all obozo is, is a common insane angry leftist, no different than rosey odonnell or bill maher
If they have nothing to hide then why not hand it all over. The investigation has been ongoing for over a year but the liberal democrats want to yell politics bc they have set on evidence all this time and lied constantly. Obama, Holder and the democrats seem to be the only ones with political motivation here. The victims families want answers and we the people want answers. We the people also want leadership, not dictatorship.
has nothing to do with the families, you watch to much FAUX News, Get a life PAT
Steve, you again and again don't know what you are talking about. You seem to blame everyone for what is happening to Holder and Obama, open your eyes and mind. Someone died...don't you get it!!!! You must be an MSNBC fan.
For some reason, Issa said Sunday that there is no cover-up. But repub's cannot seem to let that go. Oh well....let them press on with their witch hunt.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/06/24/issa-no-evidence-so-far-of-cover-up-in-operation-fast-and-furious/
But he did not say there was no evidence of a cover up regarding the incorrect assertion in February 2010 that no one at the justice department knew about this operation and the subsequent letter in December 2010 asking that the previous statement to congress be disregarded. THAT is what this is about now.
Are you really not interested in whether or not people at the "justice" department engaged in an effort to lie to congress and then cover it up when they were caught?
"just another election year tactic" Is that what you are doing , Darrell? "Holder permitted the guns to go to Mexico"....Laughable! Mexico did the permitting, if any! We (the USA) don't care what leaves, only what enters! When the Bush/Cheney "executive privilege" was invoked,( water boarding, WMD's,non-congressional war(s),etc) Darrell, was that the same "crime" REALLY? get off of it Jerkwad, Your only, and ever transparent ad hominem stated objective is to make Obama a "one term President!
Thank You Mr. Obama...
... For promoting hömösëxüäl büttt-sëx and södömy!
... For supporting the murder of babies in the womb!
... For putting jobs for illegals before jobs for Americans!
... For protecting the criminal activities of the DOJ and Eric Holder!
... For secretly and quietly disarming the US Military!
... For assisting our enemies and subverting the US Constitution!
... For turning American against American, bläck against white...
... For doubling the US Debit with absolutely no results!
... For refusing to enforce US marriage laws!
... For refusing to enforce US immigration laws!
... For stopping the Keystone Pipeline killing US jobs!
... For forcing every American to purchase bad health insurance!
... For stopping the Keystone Pipeline and increasing the cost of gas!
... For stopping oil drilling in the Gulf and increasing the cost of gas!
... For blocking coal production and increasing the cost of energy!
... For encouraging class warfare, young vs old, poor vs rich, bläck vs white...
... For turning our allies into enemies and our enemies into nuclear superpowers!
... For turning our schools into government propaganda centers... mmmm, mmmm, mmmm!
... For dividing our great nation... citizen against citizen, Democrat against Republican...
If you like what you see... Vote Obama for four more years :)
Well thank Larry for the quotes from FAUX News, you are so very involved.
Hey Steve get off your liberal band wagon. You are blinded by your leftwing beliefs to the point that you don't make sense...are you the White House spokesman or a wannabe!
Yes he quotes nearly the same thing to everyyone he doesn't agree with. No brains left.
Larry, in order:
Obama has not supported any sexual activity. There are no babies in wombs. He has not advocated jobs for illegals. The DOJ and Eric Holder have not been involved in criminal activities. The US Military is just find, and if he were indeed doing something "secretly" you wouldn't know about it! Our enemies have not been assisted or The Constitution subverted - read it. Black against white is your own prejudice at work. Much of the debt increase is from putting Bush's wars on the books, and any objective review shows there has been positive result from the increased domestic spending. US marriage laws are enforced by the states. Obama has deported more illegal immigrants in 3 years than Bush did in 8. The Keystone pipeline was never started, so it could not have been stopped; it was merely not approved at that time. You are free to buy any health insurance you want - if it's a bad one, that was your choice. Did you miss the part about the BP oil spill and lack or regulation? Do you really not know that we don't get much, if any, our gasoline from the oil drilled in the gulf? Nobody has blocked coal production. "Class warfare" is a fabrication of the wight wing talking heads. No allies have become enemies, and not one of our enemies has become a nuclear "superpower" during Obama's term, much less been assisted. Our public schools are not propaganda centers, yet all private religious affiliated schools are. The current vehement "us against them" political attitude has it's roots in Gingrich and Rove.
There's plenty to complain about Larry, but you didn't come up with a single real issue.
how many people know that janet (heshe) napalitano is involved with this as well? her chief of staff was one of the main attorneys involved with giving mexico guns
This is not political. It is about a man being killed by a government action. In war there are accounts given of how someone dies. This is about government doing something that if anyone else had done would be jail for years if not life.
I don't give a flying flip about the politics of it all. The truth needs to come forth about it. If someone did something wrong then fine, deal with it and them. But if someone did something knowingly subversive, or illegal, or outside the scope of their stated authority then they need to be found and punished.
This man's family does not deserve less justice than Trayvon Martin's family just because the government did it.
If people will stop being ideological idiots, and acting like high school children about how my side is right and yours is wrong we can accomplish something.
Unless the government turns over documents we will never know what happened, how to not let it happen again, who was involved or whether anything that bad actually happened at all and this was just a gross error.
Not political? Where were you when Bush started this policy? Scum bag republicans like yourself have no interest in the truth, only in scuttling the Obama administration. Nice try but Obama and his people have accomplished to much for you to be able to do that.
Do you all FORGET that there are 2 men shot dead with the weapons in question and there are families involved who will never stop mourning????? If the ones who make the laws and are supposed to enforce the laws, break the laws....then there are no laws. I wish that the people of this country would stop playing the blame game, grow up and start demanding that our leaders be held accountable for their actions!!!!
Thank you - and as far as I can tell - we don't have any leaders in DC from either party
obozo is knee deep in this...thats why they are stone walling
true--
The knee deep thing.....even Issa said the White House was not involved in a cover up of any sort. Your posts, though entertaining given their lack of factual information, are silly.
truebro, are you really that f ing stupid? First, who in the heck is obozo, and where does he work? See what I mean, you really are stupid! Typical motor mouth trailer trash, aren't you?
Dr Logic, you are right that Issa said he didn't believe that the president was involved in this but..........I bet he is having second thoughts after the executive privilege action when a border guard was killed. No other executive priviledge order was invoked when someone had been killed.
Nice mouth Sally Ann...the title 'motor mouth trash' sounds like it belongs to you...grow up!!
I never did like the name obozo. I prefer 0dimwit,0dimbulb, 0dip@!$%#,and0fkhed. there are many more that are just as suitable and are used as the call for them arises.enjoy your day ladies and girlymen.
I love the way trubro pisses in doclogics wheaties.