Government

Memo: Top DOJ Officials Had Extensive Knowledge of Fast & Furious

Memo: Top DOJ Officials Had Extensive Knowledge of Fast & Furious

Top Justice Department officials had extensive knowledge of Operation Fast and Furious, contradicting previous claims, a new memo released Thursday contends. (AP Photo)

Top Justice Department officials had extensive knowledge of Operation Fast and Furious, contrary to previous claims, and were in a position to know the key techniques used in the botched operation, particularly gun-walking, according to a new memo released Thursday.

The report, released by the offices of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), came just hours before Attorney General Eric Holder’s scheduled testimony to the House Oversight Committee.

Issa — the chairman of the House Oversight Committee — and Grassley — the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee — are the top GOP lawmakers investigating the failed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives program, in which weapons sold to Mexican drug cartels were not tracked, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, including a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

“Main Justice had much greater knowledge of, and involvement in, Fast and Furious than it has previously acknowledged,” the memo said. “The Justice Department’s Criminal Division—including Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jason Weinstein and Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer—was in a position to know the key investigative techniques employed.”

The memo, based on documents and testimony obtained as part of the congressional probe, directly contradicts previous claims from the Justice Department. Fox News reported:

Emails released show that Kenneth Melson, former acting director of the ATF, contacted Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer and told him that his organization wanted to take a “different approach” to seizing guns going to Mexico.

Breuer responded that it was a “terrific idea” and the department assigned a prosecutor from its Criminal Division to work with the ATF in early 2010.

But in the wake of accusations by Issa against the department, Deputy Attorney General James Cole wrote Issa on Wednesday, rejecting assertions that Breuer wanted the Phoenix division of ATF to participate in gun-walking

“In light of Assistant Attorney General Breuer’s commitment to stemming the flow of guns from the United States into Mexico and his strong ties and collaborative relationships with his counterparts in Mexico, it is inconceivable that his intention was to have guns released into Mexico,” Cole wrote.

According to Politico, the memo says that at least one wiretap application approved by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Weinstein included language explaining how ATF was allowing guns to walk:

“Congressional investigators have learned about the information contained in one Wiretap Authorization and Wiretap Affidavit from Fast and Furious that Jason Weinstein signed. The Wiretap Affidavit presented Weinstein with the details of at least two instances in which ATF agents had witnessed illegal straw purchasing and the subsequent transfer of the purchased weapons to other individuals,” said the memo.

Weinstein told investigators that it was his “general practice” not to read the underlying affidavits in such cases but to rely on a so-called cover memo prepared by another Justice Department office. He has said he was not aware of the “gun-walking” tactic in Fast and Furious at that time and would have acted quickly to end it if he had been.

The GOP investigators’ memo does not quote from the wiretap applications, which are under seal pursuant to federal law and a federal court order, nor do the Congressional aides say where they obtained such details.

The memo concludes by stating it’s very clear that “the Department is circling the wagons to protect its political appointees.” Last month, a senior federal prosecutor in Arizona said he would be asserting his Fifth Amendment rights and not testifying in the probe.

Holder’s scheduled testimony before the House Oversight Committee comes as Issa is threatening to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress if the Justice Department refuses to turn over additional documents requested by the committee, CNN reported.

In anticipation of Holder’s testimony, the Justice Department released portions of his prepared remarks, in which he declared allowing guns to walk to be “wholly unacceptable.”

“Today, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that these flawed tactics are never used again,” Holder’s remarks state. “And I reiterate my willingness to work with Congress to address the public safety and national security crisis along our southwest border that has taken far too many lives.”

Comments (148)

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  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:32am

    Our justice dept is complicit in the murder of hundreds of people…. PERIOD !

    Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:34am

      Justice Dept. WTH r u talking about ?

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • islamhater
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:43am

      This one we know about what about all the stuff we don’t. Yep keep everyone focused on this. Everyone knows he should have been arrested for this. Yep stay focused.Keep those blinders up.

      Report Post »  
    • OutOfTheAether
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:22pm

      And we’re surprised because….?

      Report Post » OutOfTheAether  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:22pm

      This “IS” a modern day “Air America” disaster policy.

      U.S. D.o.J. A.G. office, the B.A.T.F.&E. are only two of the many implicated by this scandal. Those include but are not limited to: The State Department, The Department of Homeland Security, The Department of the Interior, The Border Patrol, The Immigration and Naturalization Service, The National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management. And possibly the National Security Agency, the F.B.I. and others.

      Our borders have been intentionally left without security, exposing Americans and America to no small dangers, so they can run guns and drugs and launder money internationally? subverting another sovereign nations autonomy? (Mexico says it knew nothing of the scheme). Isn’t that an act of war?

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Eric Holder is a slimy lawyer who helped a bunch of Execs get off “scott free” after they had smuggled arms to South American terrorists.

      Obama made him Top Cop, and his dishonest anti-American activities continue to this day – cloaked in the flag.

      May God deliver us from these evil men.

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • amdoktor
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 1:08pm

      We have more problems in D.C. Breaking news ! Georgia removes Obama from ballot and records
      into official court records facts on Obama’s fraudulent birth certificate and social security number.
      Obama’s lawyer says that Obama is above the law in his brief.( See link for fact check). Main stream
      media will be hesitant in reporting.
      god bless us all

      http://congressmantomtancredo.com/update-judge-malihi-has-stated-that-he-will-enter-a-default-judgement-against-obama/

      Report Post » amdoktor  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:23am

    How exactly , does one track guns heading to mexico ? and does anyone remember the stories about three years ago, that Obama and Hillary were blaming the U.S. For guns heading south of the border ?….. Obviously, they had the inside info, but we did’nt realize they were the ones supplying the WEAPONS……And why is Mexico not raising hell about our dear leader arming the Cartels ? Hmmmmm, he sure earned that crappy nobel peace prize, did’nt he ? he is a muslim after all…. We will probably find out he was supplying suicide bomb vests toooo !!!!

    Report Post »  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:28am

      Dinero. Mula. Greenbacks to wetbacks dude.

      Report Post »  
    • Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:40am

      You want to hang this on Obama because it went wrong. You want to deny Obama any credit on Bin Laden because it went right. You’d be doing the opposite if these results were opposite.

      You guys are a JOKE.

      Report Post » Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:51am

      I would like to thank President Bush, VP Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld for setting up the apparatus to enable a slim fingered, woosie like Barry, to sit in a little boy chair and claim HE killed OBL. When it comes time to man up and take credit for Gun Running and the murder of an American Border Agent and probably countless Mexican’s Barry skulks behind scapegoats in the ATF. For once can Barry’s apologists tell the truth. Nah didn’t think so.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 3:03pm

      @ Bible fearing fool
      What? Get those teabags off your chin so we can understand you. Your comments are garbled and unfocused. Something about you don’t need ky, just straight up prison action. What? How did you see your DOJ/BATF tracking all the weapons? Que? Let them walk, then orchestrate uproar over them somehow winding up killing potential Dem voters/drug cartel, so as to assault your favorite ammendment. Nice butt monkey you are. Your love for people of questionable values and even an iota of morals is very telling of you, not to mention you enjoy teabags on your face.

      Report Post »  
  • bigbro
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:23am

    Nothing will ever become of this.

    Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:36am

      Yup,, as long as this group is in power.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • last frontier
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:04pm

      This is not something barry wants during the campaign and it will only pick up speed heading into November.

      Report Post » last frontier  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 4:01pm

      Issa is one of the good ones…he might not be perfect but he isn’t afraid to rattle cages in either party… He was my CA Congressman while I lived there and was always responsive and polite..whether he agreed or not with my views…he will actually talk with you about what he does and why and isn‘t afraid to be told you don’t agree…but at least he listens respectfully…

      this isn’t sabre rattling for the election for him…this is his job…he is in charge of oversight of Congress and the government agencies that spend the money Congress gives them…even if the DoJ and Barry -O don’t do anything or act…he will bull dog them and not stop…

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
  • MarcusFL
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:21am

    If interested, you can watch it live on fox.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/02/holder-says-no-one-punished-yet-during-testimony-on-controversial-fast-and/

    Report Post »  
  • jrcess
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:20am

    If you buy a gun and give it to a criminal to commit a crime such as murder, you are as guilty as the assailant. Eric Holder is guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. Try the bastard as such.

    Report Post »  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:32am

      Eric Holder saw justice blindfolded, so he executed her.

      Report Post » ozchambers  
    • mikelivi
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:11pm

      that will never happen, ALL of our politicians are spineless! Its a dog and pony show. Holder SHOULD be in jail! Racist POS!

      Report Post »  
    • getourcountryback
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:13pm

      Boy wouldn’t that be nice if it would happen. These bunch of pukes in office are all too corrupt and dirty to allow anything to undo them though. Constitution or not, they are going to do what they want and to heck with the people. We are so screwed………..

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:16am

    Give him a can of crisco and send him packing….

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • SoupSandwich
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:15am

    None of this effects “his people”. Holder cares not if Mexicans die or caucasions get all bent out of shape over little illegal gun walking gigs by the BATF and DOJ. Does not effect HIS PEOPLE so move along and shut your pieholes.

    Report Post »  
  • Fullmagazine
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:13am

    COFEMALE we’d string up the white guys too you moulyuck! The punnishment for treason is death.
    If it makes you feel better I’ll round up a leathal injection you simple minded moron.

    Report Post » Fullmagazine  
    • doomytram
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:24am

      No, No, No, in this upside down banana republic he will get a nice bloated raise, and he has permission to surf porn without discipline. The federal gov‘t is hiring and they don’t have to make a profit. We spend over a trillion dollars more than we take in annually.

      The CFR knows where they want us to go 5 years from now, do you? UN or USA? The Amero or Dollar?

      Report Post » doomytram  
  • HKS
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:11am

    The only thing I can say about Holder and his bunch is, there are liers, dam liers and democrats, in that order.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • Unix
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:11am

    Scared? I fear no man, no weapon system, nothing, but God in Heaven. I will say this loudly and for all to see and hear, TAKE MY LIFE, for at that moment I will be free of the hell on earth, the chains of bondage from Satan himself. I laugh in the face of Satan, for he cannot touch my soul, because I believe in Jesus our Christ ALMIGHTY! I have been saved in Him, and I REPENT of ALL MY SINS for all to see, and I turn my back on my wicked past and evil ways. One day at a time I get better and better at it. I will no longer cast judgement over my fellow sinner, or call names at people. Do as you please and you will get what you wish for. I will be judged by no man, by no serpant, but ONLY by God himself. If he so chooses to throw me in the pit, so be it, but I will stand before Him.

    When Jesus our Christ RETURNS with His sword of life and death, I HOPE to stand next to Him to fight the good battle over evil —– AMEN.
    Come get me communists, fascists, athiests, islamists, greedy, vile, corrupt, wicked, fornicators – I am here for the taking! I will meet you on the battlefield of life and death and those are my words of IRON. My name is Sgt. Unix Crust – come battle with me on COD MW3 and feel my sting!

    Report Post » Unix  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:29am

      Unix, may i suggest De caf ?

      Report Post »  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:33am

      Thought agent orange was only used during Vietnam. I can see getting red listed by a few of the acronyms for the sheer joy of it and knowing they were spinning their wheels for not, but Holy Cow dude. Words of steel? Why not go all light weight and have words of titanium instead. Then you are free to carry heavier, more weighty words with you and your wrath is more high speed, low weight, and mre fed and crew served and damn-steel words? What?

      Report Post »  
    • Unix
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:22pm

      Think of me what you will, my words are truth, unto death.

      Report Post » Unix  
    • pduffy
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 1:51pm

      WOW, great comment. Most professing Christians don’t even belive Christ was born to be king and rule this earth, but rather have swallowed the satanic lie that Christians float off to heaven, while satan continues to reign forever on earth. Being killed is part of the end-time prophesy, as the souls are still crying out under the altar of God, “when O Lord will you take vengence upon those who dwell upon the earth”. Their time is just about up.

      Report Post »  
    • maccow
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 2:52pm

      Unix
      You get a higher score if you take some of the evil SOBs with you to the judgement throne.

      I think Billy Graham will have an entire roped off section down front at the Judgement for himself and his converts. Me, I will probably be up in the nose bleed section.

      But I will be there and not alone.
      God bless

      Report Post » maccow  
    • Unix
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 2:59pm

      Paperboy – I got a good chuckle from your post, I stand humbled by your one liner my friend.

      Report Post » Unix  
  • CatB
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:09am

    What did Obama know and when did he know it? Hey Holder .. answer that question!

    Report Post »  
  • ReaganBaby
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:08am

    I heard it was Bush’s Fault

    Report Post » ReaganBaby  
  • Fullmagazine
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:08am

    Sick Jan Brewer on these rats. She certainly has a way of pointing the finger effectively.
    I bet she wanted to bi#%* slap Little Barry soooooooo bad!

    Report Post » Fullmagazine  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:10am

      Who doesn’t??? Most patriots would!

      Report Post »  
    • ReaganBaby
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:12am

      I think Sheriff Arpaio could get to the bottom of this

      Report Post » ReaganBaby  
    • Ella
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Where’s the line?

      Report Post »  
  • ReaganBaby
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:05am

    Is the this new news? who actually believed they weren’t well aware of the operation? They all need to be tried and put in jail for their crimes not to mention accessories to murders including our own Border agents.

    Report Post » ReaganBaby  
    • doomytram
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:20am

      Duh, eggzachery, don’t tell us Holder, what we don’t know… We know that this program was a corrupt gov’t program. This program wasn’t successful because we, Americans found out about it… their would be more bodies, if we didn’t expose the corruption so quickly.

      We live in Orwell’s 1984. We don‘t know anywhere near what we should know about the corruption that is in our Inner Gov’t circles. For example, hundreds of gigantic out of control bloated gov’t employees were watching porn all day everyday at the Justice Dept. and nobody was fired. Why would they fire or discipline someone for complicity to murder? Up is down. We are insolvent, No the SOTU is strong… Banana Friggen Republic

      Report Post » doomytram  
  • mrtinbender
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:02am

    of coarse they are circling the wagons their jobsw depend on it

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:00am

    If Vincente Fox or maybe it was Calderon said that all the guns coming into Mexico were from the U.S. in 2008 or 2009, why was it dismissed. At the time I laughed it off as him blaming others for the drug cartels. In hind sight, he already knew about Fast and Furious or whatever the name was at the time.

    Holder should be arrested and jailed. He is a disgrace to the DOJ.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on February 3, 2012 at 6:13am

      Holder is a disgrace to his office and to the United States. This racist bigot needs to be locked up in a federal pen, with a 300 lb redneck named Bubba.

      OMG

      Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:59am

    No surprise here.
    What I hope will surprise me would be evidence of spines in the republican leadership when they pursue impeachment and criminal charges.
    Maybe President biden could finish out obama’s term…

    Report Post »  
    • cloudsofwar
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:06am

      the Harry Reid senate will NEVER IMPEACH.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:11am

      Who cares about the Senate? .. Impeachment starts in the House … and they should go after this for all it is … TREASON.

      Report Post »  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:15am

      @ cloudsofwar

      the Harry Reid senate will NEVER IMPEACH.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Proceedings are probably already being drawn up to impeach Reid and other members of the Senate for dereliction of duty based on his possible response to the Eric Holder / Obama administration to backdoor abolish the 2nd Amendment.

      It’s hard to do it “under the radar” when you’re exposed, Obama. Let’s see how fast you throw your people under the bus from this point onwards.

      Report Post »  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:04pm

      @CLOUDSOFWAR

      The House is the branch to Impeach. The Senate tries the case after someone has been impeached.

      Report Post » PPMStudios  
    • cloudsofwar
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:09pm

      without the senate there can not be an impeachment.

      Report Post »  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:19pm

      @ CLOUDS

      I think you’re getting caught up in semantics.

      “The impeachment process is a two-step procedure. The House of Representatives must first pass by a simple majority articles of impeachment, which constitute the formal allegation or allegations. Upon their passage, the defendant has been “impeached”. Next, the Senate tries the accused. In the case of the impeachment of a president, the Chief Justice of the United States presides over the proceedings. For the impeachment of any other official, the Constitution is silent on who shall preside, suggesting that this role falls to the Senate’s usual presiding officer.”

      Report Post » PPMStudios  
    • cloudsofwar
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:32pm

      @ ppms….. i yield to your point. at any rate do you really think Boehner would bring impeachment to the floor in the US Congress? or maybe it’s not up to him?

      Report Post »  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 1:46pm

      @ CLOUDS

      Good argument there. I really don’t think Boehner has the nards to try it. Even though the GOP controls the House.

      It makes for a nice dream though…

      Report Post » PPMStudios  
  • JQCitizen
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:54am

    I pray for ALL the CROOKS, including the CROOK IN CHIEF in this administration to be exposed, and punished.

    Casual Chats:
    Please go take your filth, and pedal it somewhere where people are as DESPERATE as you are!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Fullmagazine
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:01am

      My thoughts exactly on CASUAL CHATS! We blog about filth and corruption in DC and there is a whore advertisement in the mix.

      Report Post » Fullmagazine  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:04am

      they are just po’ed that fast and fueious did not give them the ammo that they had hoped for ………to destroy the 2nd amendment

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:54am

    We know the administration is dirty from the top on down, when will the people get fed up enough to force the impeachment and criminal conviction of all those involved from Obama on down.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:53am

    .
    I Smell a Pardon………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:57am

      I’m going to enjoy watching this a-hole, Eric Holder, go down and take his puke of a boss with him.

      I hope they find some off the wall connection to Corzine in all of this as well.

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:08am

      @spank…
      Or a mysterious “accident!” !!!

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:38am

      Yup , they r way ahead of us.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • And I Say
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:51am

    life is more precious than their (Holder and crew) jobs, they are there to protect life. letting people die for thier twisted cause is wrong, let them all see the inside of a jail cell for a long period of time so they can reflect the wrong they have done.

    Report Post »  
  • 1ontheright
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:46am

    “And I reiterate my willingness to work with Congress to address the public safety and national security crisis along our southwest border that has taken far too many lives.”

    Only now willing to work with Congress, since they’ve been caught red-handed…quite literally. How convenient – IMPEACH HOLDER NOW!

    Report Post »  
    • Ray2447
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:53am

      Where’s that keen investigative reporting from The Washington Post? Yea, big double standard there – as usual.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:44am

    Treason… thy name is spelled…

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • ZeldaZick
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:44am

    Sad thing is that no one has lost their job yet. I’m sure Holder will find a way to blame this on Bush. Oh, he’s already using that excuse.

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:42am

    If we could…please try Eric Holder for TREASON…How about it? Anyone in Washington with a set of B alls? I doubt it.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Ray2447
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:51am

      Can we call this “Holdergate” yet, or are we holding out for “Obamagate?”

      Report Post »  
    • Fullmagazine
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:53am

      I have a rope. I know how to put a thirteen wrap knot in it too.

      Report Post » Fullmagazine  
    • COFemale
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:02am

      Full that was uncalled for. Take your racist stance and go to the DU, where they would appreciate that statement.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:14am

      COFemale
      Your full of yourself , Full’s post had nothing to do with race- you must be the racist saying it

      Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 11:32am

      Yeah ,, wishfull thinking, gl with that.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:06pm

      @COFEMALE

      Curious as to how you arrived at “racist” when replying to FULLMAGAZINE?

      Report Post » PPMStudios  
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