Attorney General Eric Holder has stonewalled on the release of Fast and Furious documents for months. Just days before the House Oversight Committee is scheduled to vote on holding him in contempt of Congress, Holder asked President Obama to assert executive privilege.
Translation: time to tell people who want answers on the deadly Fast and Furious operation to screw themselves.
LETTER @WhiteHouse asking for executive privilege on #FastAndFurious: http://t.co/EBgGdMbs
— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012
Holder letter to President Obama: "The documents at issue fit squarely within the scope of executive privilege"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 20, 2012
Holder tells President the document request on Fast and Furious would have "significant, damaging consequences"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 20, 2012
Holder letter to President Obama: "The documents at issue fit squarely within the scope of executive privilege"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 20, 2012
“Squarely.” We do not think that means what you think it means.
The president was happy to comply with Holder’s request.
DOJ ltr to Issa: "I write now to inform you that the President has asserted executive privilege over the relevant … documents."
— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) June 20, 2012
MORE: POTUS has asserted executive privilege over relevant documents; Deputy AG James Cole: "We regret that we have arrived at this point"
— Peter Doocy (@pdoocy) June 20, 2012
https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/215450225127596032
https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/215450266198228993
What does this mean? Twitter users put it in a nutshell.
If I were hiding how I was complicit in a bunch of murders I'd ask for executive privilege too. #Holder #p2 #tcot
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) June 20, 2012
So Holder pleas for, and receives executive privilege protection for the documents. Proof positive that he's been hiding things.
— A9e is Adrien (@a9e) June 20, 2012
The Twitterverse asks the questions the lapdog media won’t.
If Justice really needed Executive privilege for F&F documents, then why did Holder not request this months ago?
— Blake Hall (@blakehalltexas) June 20, 2012
https://twitter.com/Independent60/status/215442493150470145
#Obama asserts executive privilege over fast & furious documents. What does Obama and Holder not want us to know? #Corrupt #Amateur #Fascist
— Todd W. Follmer (@twfollmer) June 20, 2012
If the #fastandfurious documents are benign why look to invoke executive privilege, Holder?
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) June 20, 2012
Indeed. If the documents are no biggie, why months of stonewalling? If the administration has nothing to hide, why invoke executive privilege?
The House Oversight Committee intends to proceed with its scheduled contempt vote.
Even though Holder has asked POTUS to assert executive privilege, House Oversight Committee will markup contempt bill anyway #FastAndFurious
— Peter Doocy (@pdoocy) June 20, 2012
Republican members of Congress react to the news:
WH grants AG Holder Exec Privilege on #FastandFurious docs. What do they have to hide? The American people deserve to know.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) June 20, 2012
Holder wants exec privilege to hide #fastandfurious docs? Reminder: WH "Transparency and Open Government": http://t.co/nlufzuJP
— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) June 20, 2012
What are they hiding?!?! #fastandfurious http://t.co/L4vbMNmK
— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) June 20, 2012
On what grounds is Pres. Obama asserting executive privilege? #FastAndFurious #EricHolder #contempt
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) June 20, 2012
Executive privilege? #FastAndFurious must rise all the way to Pres. Obama. Stunning admission by White House. #EricHolder #contempt
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) June 20, 2012
https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/215453835907440642
https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/215453872515334144
Unbelievable! AG Eric Holder has requested Executive Privilege to prevent releasing documents re: Fast & Furious. What did Pres.Obama know?
— Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) June 20, 2012
This is not about partisan politics or a witch hunt. This is about justice, accountability and transparency. Holder has had enough time.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) June 20, 2012
I fully support House GOP efforts to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress & will vote yes when it reaches the floor.
— RepKevinBrady (@RepKevinBrady) June 20, 2012
And from the other side of the aisle:
Today I defended AG Eric Holder from @GOPoversight attacks in House Ovrst&GovtReform Cmte #FastandFurious hearing. http://t.co/S9RphpQs
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) June 20, 2012
#OGR contempt mark-up could be construed a kangaroo court that brings shame on Congress #fastandfurious
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) June 20, 2012
OGR contempt hearing "a sad moment for this committee and this Congress. Verdict decided in advance." @oversightdems
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) June 20, 2012
A circus is going on in oversight committee. Attempt to hold AG #Holder in contempt preposterous-never happened before in history of country
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) June 20, 2012
AG #Holder remains willing to turn over everything legally allowed. Rush to #contempt charge is irresponsible.
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) June 20, 2012
As always, it’s “do as I say, not as I do”:
Do As They Say. FLASHBACK 2007: Obama Attacked Trying "To Hide Behind Executive Privilege" http://t.co/XuKi7fCs
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012
Twitchy will bring you more on this important story as it develops.
