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House Republicans will file a civil suit against Attorney General Eric Holder during the August recess, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., has told NBC News.
House Republicans will file suit in an effort to compel Holder to release documents associated with the failed "Fast and Furious" gun-walking operation.
"We'll be filing a civil case during the break," Issa told NBC, "We will expect a day in court before a federal judge, which we have a 100 percent chance that the judge will hold that these documents should be delivered."
House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa has told NBC News that House Republicans will file a civil suit against Attorney General Eric Holder. NBC's Pete Williams reports.
During negotiations between House Republicans and Holder in June, the White House invoked executive privilege on the documents Issa had requested for his investigation. Issa says that a federal judge should find that executive privilege does not apply to the documents he is requesting.
"The idea that you would withhold based on some executive privilege the documents related to a cover up of a crime is absurd, but that's the claim that the attorney general is hiding behind," Issa said.
The House voted on June 28th, 255-67, to hold Holder in contempt of Congress for not turning over documents related to the Fast and Furious operation. During that vote, the vast majority of Democrats walked off the floor of the House in protest of a measure they saw as a political witch hunt.
Soon after the House found Holder in contempt of Congress, the Justice Department penned a letter to House Republicans saying it would not be pursuing the case, stating that "the attorney general's response to the subpoena issued by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform does not constitute a crime." The DOJ cited the White House invoking executive privilege as a primary reason for not proceeding.
Larry Downing / REUTERS
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder during a meeting at the White House in Washington, July 26, 2012.
The DOJ's response has left Republicans with few options, according to Issa, who compared the current situation with congressional attempts to retrieve the Nixon tapes during their investigation into the Watergate scandal in the 1970s.
"We're seeking a remedy and the remedy is an order to compel," Issa said. "Nixon didn't respond to Congress, he responded to federal judges, ultimately the Supreme Court, ordering that he had no such privilege to cover up the tapes. And these are no different than the Nixon tapes, we're asking for documents related to a cover up of lying to Congress."
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Holder is an example of affirmative action ast it's finest. He got a job he is not qualified for and now that he has proven that he is not able to do the job they will throw him under the bus.
LOL well said.
Why not JUST sue the fool and stop the damn PLANNING ?
Another stupid 'plan by Boehner' ?
Critical thinkers, like myself find the some republican and some tea partiers absolutely fascinating. The practice of cognitive dissonance is so widespread and accepted its like a partially insanity. But the upside is many "true" independent voters get to see the "base" of the party. They get to see the side of the party that's based on hate. Conservative and tea party candidates campaigned on a job creation platform. Their hate for OBAMA caused about 33 bills to be passed in the House(to repeal health care for americans, eventhough the represenatives get health care, eventhough the vote was political posturing), and no jobs bill. This investigation is an attempt to take a tragic event and use it for political gain. Please investigate the salaries, benefits, and perks of congressional office and compare...are you getting your money's worth....now you know what to do..vote.
You guys do realize that this project had begun back in the 2005 time frame? Although the ATF project then was referred to as "Project Gunrunner" the one today is not that much different. The end is the same allow criminals to purchase guns, and track them in and back into the country.
is that why bush cancelled the program ?.....it was flawed to begin with, yes ?
That program was shut down and was quite different in its intention: Bush tracked guns and worked with Mexican officials and arrested people. Obama and Holder did not track guns did not work with Mexico and wanted to weaken the 2nd amendment. Yea we do realize the difference but DavidE you do not, do a little research dude to learn the truth.
Might want to check your facts. There's no mention of it being cancelled. In fact it 2009 congress passed additional laws to fund and operate it.
Wow! You boys and/or girls need to stop listening to fox and starting reading real news. Weaken the 2nd amendment? That air-headed wing-nut conspiracy theory is laughable as is all the talking heads that spew it. But thanks for the laugh.
no...its common knowledge that obama wanted to ban assault weapons. (this is no secret to ANYONE in america)
but bush shut down 'wide receiver' in 2007 . i had to look it up.
so you are a liar for saying the program was "never shut down"..You are either stupid or lying...or both
Well pick up the bills all the closed solar companies, electric car battery companies, Michelle's vacations she is so stressed hell there's not enough room here for the Obama screw ups
Thank God he will be one & done.
Issa has produced enough evidence to prove key members in the DOJ new about F&F and either Holder lied or is incompetent. The fact the Holder and Obama have stonewalled on provided required information to Congress tells me there is something to hide. Obama has demonstrated to the average person that he thinks he is above the law and our constitution and does not deserve another term, he is out in November!
Get your facts from some source other than the mickey mouse club or fox. You are so far off it is sad
Well it's not like Romney is any better but I agree after all of the Lies Broken Promises Barry made to US he doesn't deserve another 4 years!
The American people have to stop rewarding these Demo/Repub Criminals and start putting them into Prison instead!
Why not JUST sue the fool and stop the damn PLANNING ?
Another stupid 'plan by Boehner' ?
The grand larceny auto thief Darrel Issa tries to get AG Holder to reveal information that would be illegal for him to reveal and now the Republicans are throwing a pi## fit because they can't get someone to do something illegal. Can we say brainless morons who are doing their best to make Obama a one term president. Wake up America: we will never get completly back on the road to recovery and greatness until these obstructionist, anti-American Republicans are thrown out of office.
ium sick and tired of the republicans very tired
I thought I heard that this silly gun program started while Bush was still president. Does anyone know that for a fact? If it is, what the hell are the Republicans bitching about.
Maybe 2 dead border agents if it was one of my family i would be all over them 2 years and no
answer screw Holder
r257: are you really saying that those border agents are dead because of a program started by Bush? Think about the craziness of that for a few moments.
You aint liberals ! Who are You and what do you want in America ? LOL...
This is so very,very funny !! This do nothing Congress wants to pursue civil action while they are on vacation,but will not pass a single bill on ANYTHING without a robust fight while in session.Hell they have even turned down previous bills they voted for simply because of Obama.Can't wait until they are all out on their collective arses,especially Mr. Bonehead.
Might want to look on Reid's desk for the bills they passed.
If you don't believe me, go to organizations like the American Family Council, and such. In their minds, all poor people are lazy swine. They just love generalizations, because they have sold their soul to the neoconservative ideology.
They are very, very, dangerous people. And the Bible believing and thumping americans folow their agenda to the T!!! Like rats being led over the cliff by the pied piper. All you have to do is throw a little support to a few moral principles they adhere to and they sign their very souls to the devil. Gullible, self centered, naive, and ignorant religious right.
bigot
they must need a break from all the job creating they have done since the midterms,good way to get it,spending boo ku bucks to sue the AG for something no one cares about.The economy is no concern to them,you can tell that from the billionaire they have nominated for King. Practice bowing down,and kissing rings people,your gonna need it in the years coming up.
AG Holder has testified and testified, and still they are not satisfied. This is crazy! I cannot believe how they are trying to manipulate the system, and I pray to God that some of them get hemmed upped in the process. Republicans have the habit of forgetting things that they themselves approved. I hope and pray that all the documents from when this occured does come to light, and people like Boner is caught in it as well. Karma is a mother, and she will stick it to you, and they should be careful what they wish for, because it very well may be their own demise, instead of President Obama's.
Like he testified that the DOJ had nothing to do with it & then a few months later said they did? Now tell me why would they believe him now? Cuz he didn't lie to them before?
SHOW THE DOCS
holder testified he had no knowledge of any gun walking program....
...and then he later testified that he did know about the gun walking program.
so holder lied...and holder needs to be jailed for lying about fast and furious......and americans demand it.
Why not JUST sue the fool and stop the damn PLANNING ?
Another stupid 'plan by Boehner' ?
This latest stunt, just goes to show that what's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander, when former GW got us into an unnecessary war in Iraq, no one brought up any charges for international terrorism, which is what it was, when anyone in the Obama administration attempts to move forward, GOP slams on the brakes, and says heck no. It reminds me of my grandson, when he doesn't get his way, he pouts and takes his toys and goes home, same scenario, just not 12 year olds.
Oh Good, then you have no problem discussing Obama throwing us int Syria, Yemen, and Libya?
Glad to hear it.
Blah..Blah..Blah..GW did this, BO did that..screw that We're supoosed to have a gov't By the People, For The People..If GW is hiding stuff hammer him..if Bo is hiding stuff hammer him.. The logic here is mostly non-existant. What kinda program sends guns to Mexico to track if they are being used by the cartels. That in itself, should be fully investigated and all freedom loving people should support that liberal or conservative. Neither would like a dictatorship..which is what stonewalling this investigation is all about.
Who is buying guns here and taking them across the border ? If they are sold legally then what ?/ It is Mexico's reponsibility. You even sound dumber. Did holder follow everyone that bought a gun leagally hoping it would find a way to mexico by itself ? I mean you can buy a gun at walmart who cares do we follow every gun to see if it will be used in a crime sooo what was Holder thinking ehhh ????
There were no guns. You NRA idiots have conspired once again to mislead the American people.
No need to worry about fast and furious anyway after November, right? Remeber Obama is coming to take all of your loonies guns. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh. What a bunch of freaking morons
You people need to wake up now. The repubilcons are a do nothing congress and this has to stop. Wake up people and vote the right way.
The Republicans ruined this country and instead of helping President Obama straighten it out they only can think of ways to waste taxpayer money by going on stupid witchhunts all the time. The GOP must feel like big men by doing this. The GOP is out of control and they are all totally out of touch with reality. VOTE DEMOCRATIC ACROSS THE BOARD IN NOVEMBER IF YOU WANT THIS COUNTRY TO BE SAVED.
Actually I will be voting for new people to represent me no matter their stated party I just want people that believe what I believe, my rights did not come from the Government and don't regulate my freedoms away. Either you believe big Government is the answer or it is the problem thats the real issue everything else is just garnish!
JR: Yes,it is true that this was first started in the Bush administration.I looked it up when this thing first started,but Repubs don't care about the facts.Only about getting Obama out and they will use every dirty trick in the book.
Maria, dig a little deeper: That program was shut down and was quite different in its intention: Bush tracked guns and worked with Mexican officials and arrested people. Obama and Holder did not track guns did not work with Mexico and wanted to weaken the 2nd amendment. Yea we do realize the difference but DavidE you do not, do a little research dude to learn the truth.
JR yes, the IDEA was discussed in the Bush Admn but they were smart enough to realize that it would be very hard to trace the guns, that any electric tracking device hidden in weapon could possibly be found or may not work so the IDEA was ditched. Obumma and gang resurrected the project to fulfil the Anti-Gun law dream. It was all about giving Mexicans and Cartels guns and then busting them so they could say see, these are American guns and we need Gun Control laws! in the process Brian Terry was killed. and now Holder and Obumma and gang are covering it all up!
If the evidence that Holder is hiding leads to the Obama Admn. then it should be enough to Impeach Obumma Kick that S O B to the curb
It's shocking of the lower intelligence people like Holder get elected to represent us.
It is more shocking how gullible and mislead you have been. You are what is wrong with America. You could be convinced the world is flat
Well, maybe it's because the Attorney General is not really elected, waylon, he is nominated by the President and then confirmed by the Senate.
Anyways, you were saying...? Something about 'lower intelligence people'?
Holder is an embarrassment to the United States, therefore, irrelevant and ineffective. He needs to go.
And the same could be said about his boss....POMPUS Obama!
Never give a proven LIAR a second chance....Don't re-elect ANYONE in November for none of them work for US!
Don't worry about Obama, the office of the president is the only reason he isn't in frornt of a Grand Jury.
Soon he will be out of office, or even if the country loses it's collective mind and reelects him, we will be waitng in 2017, Obama is going in front of a Grand Jury on two counts of Malfeasance in Office and extortion in the instance of the GM bankruptcy, we have every intention of sending you to jail, Obama.
A LIAR (aka Obama) is more of a threat than a THIEF .
With a thief you know when something has been stolen.
With a LIAR (Obama) you are not sure if he is telling the truth or as always LYING.
If conservatives would research even half of the crap that they are brainwashed with, they would have left the republian party years ago. The party is for liars and the gullible
When you point the finger of indictment at some one, just remember, you have three pointing right back at you.
David,, actually my low life lefty scumbag handouter friend.
It's because we have morals and integrity and a distaste for trying to make some one else pay for our handouts, you can't make it as a dem leech with moral or integrity.
Vote for more guns sales to mexico and support Islamist rebels while we out source your jobs and cut cut cut..vote Obama and more of the same...You aint liberals but you have a good message ehh ! Blame GW for Obama !