“This responds to your letter dated March 9, 2011, which asked a number of questions about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco. Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigation known as Operation Fast and Furious,” Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich advised House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith in an April 4 letter (see sidebar slide show).
Smith, along with 13 other House Judiciary Committee Republicans, had asked Attorney General Eric Holder for details about “allegations that ATF may have been complicit in the illegal transfer of firearms into Mexico.” Among the specific questions the Committee sought answers to:
- How many weapons were allowed to pass into Mexico, and was the program still active?
- Who at ATF approved that?
- Who in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona approved it, and under what authority?
- Was Operation Fast and Furious coordinated with the Justice Department, and did DOJ approve it?
Rep. Smith requested a response by March 18. That deadline was ignored.
Advising Rep. Smith that “Mexican drug cartels are a significant organized crime threat,” that “[s]topping the flow of weapons across the border into Mexico is a challenging task” and defining the purpose of Operation Fast and Furious, Weich acknowledges “[al]legations have been raised about how this investigation was structured and conducted” and gives Smith a summary overview of the eTrace firearm tracing system.
As to Rep. Smith’s specific questions related to walking guns into Mexico, Weich responded:
Unfortunately, at this time, we are not in a position to answer your questions in greater detail. The Department has a long standing policy against the disclosure of non-public information about ongoing criminal investigations. This policy is based on our strong interest in protecting the independence and effectiveness of ongoing law enforcement efforts. We are, however, in the process of working with Chairman lssa to provide documents concerning this matter and would be willing to work with you and your staff in the same manner. Through this process we hope to find ways to be responsive to your needs that are consistent with the Department's need to maintain the confidentiality of ongoing investigations.
We hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact this office if we may provide additional assistance regarding this or any other matter.
It was Assistant AG Weich who similarly deflected Sen. Chuck Grassley’s specific inquiries into “Project Gunwalker.”* This column has also documented deadlines established by Sen. Grassley and Rep. Darrell Issa of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that have been blown over by DOJ, resulting in Rep. Issa issuing a subpoena, Weich’s assurances of working with him notwithstanding. Nor have private inquiries yielded much beyond resistance and noncompliance.
It’s a pattern Sen. Grassley’s experiences confirm, as he stated in an April 1 news release, writing “Since January I’ve called upon the administration to come clean about its alleged policy that allows guns to ‘walk’ across the border. So far my requests for answers have hit a stone wall at the ATF, the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, ICE and Customs Border Protection.”
Also see:
- Asst. AG Weich’s April 4 reply to Rep. Smith
- A journalist’s guide to ‘Project Gunwalker' Part One and Part Two for a complete list with links of independent investigative reporting and commentary done to date by Sipsey Street Irregulars and Gun Rights Examiner.
[Thanks to Jack B]
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Trigger Sports Recorded!
American Trigger Sports Network host James B. Towle sends a recap of Wednesday's Trigger Sports Live! show:
"Go Daddy" CEO Bob Parsons, a humanitarian, is defended by ATSN and congratulated for his courage and generosity.
Mark Walters, host of Armed American Radio, rallies to the defense of famous baseball player, hunter and gun owner, Evan Longoria, after USA Today demonized him as "Tony Montana".
All this and more, at www.atsn.tv - Your #1 Network for Trigger Sports! On your computer, 24/7, when YOU want to see it!
Event DVD's available from the ATSN.tv store.
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