Report: Amid ‘Fast and Furious’ Gun Scandal ATF Head to Step Down
- Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:45pm by
Billy Hallowell
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ATF Acting Head, Kenneth Melson
In the midst of the Operation Fast and Furious scandal, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms acting director Kenneth Melson is expected to resign in the next day or two.
Last week, Congress further investigated the controversy and some ATF agents claimed that the mission and its organizers knowingly allowed guns to slip into the hands of criminals. With the testimony and research came e-mails that seemed to indicate that Melson had knowledge of the entire operation as it was being conducted. Some are questioning who else was made aware of the operation and how high up in the Justice Department the information traveled.
Operation Fast and Furious came to light after two assault rifles purchased by a now-indicted small-time buyer under scrutiny in the operation turned up at the scene of a shootout in Arizona where Customs and Border Protection agent Brian Terry was killed.
For more information, watch the following CNN report:
According to CNN, Attorney General Eric Holder will meet with Andrew Traver (head of the Chicago ATF office) tomorrow regarding a replacement for Melson.



















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Comments (170)
yiska8
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:29pmScapegoat. This guy is responsible, but his bosses were aware of it. One resignation and the story will go away. He got a phone call and he was told he had to fall on his sword. Eric Holder and the Justice Department is just as much at fault. Eric Holder needs to resign. This is an obviously huge story, but the Republicans will be too slow and stupid to use it against our worthless President and his underlings. This is just another plan gone awry that was put in place in order to blame Americans for guns heading South.
Report Post »Possum45
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:27pmResign?
Every one involved (except the whistle blowers with immunity) should be tried, convicted
and sent to prison for conspiracy to Murder!
Then, the entire atfe defunded, disbanded, and all it’s tax payer employees sent to the
Report Post »unemployment lines!
GERATMO
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:25pmI wonder what they thought the outcome of this was going to be. This administration keeps funding and arming our enemies with no good explanation. What the he!! are they thinking.
Report Post »STEEZYD
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:25pmThey act like the cartel wouldn’t have guns anyways. That is the most ridiculous part about this whole issue. Long term effect is more murders? Give me a break! Those cartel would get the guns one way or another.
Report Post »Dudley Do-Right
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:51pmI agree, the whole premise that they were going to keep an eye on the guns and then make arrests in Mexico is absurd. Just because Melson resigned doesn‘t mean they can’t still go after him does it? He needs to testify under oath so the domino’s will fall IMO. This was an attack on our second amendment.
Report Post »harumph
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:23pm[cough*scapegoat*cough]
Report Post »Michael Dean
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:22pmMelson is indeed just the scapegoat, but congress should not stop there as there are many more who have responsibility for this smoke and mirrors attempt to usher in an anti gun agenda.
Report Post »WebWrat
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:22pmRead all about it.
Report Post »Go to: emergingcorruptionDOTcom/2011/06/agenda-behind-fast-furious-gunrunner-program/
nomercy63
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:16pmI want Eric Holder and Obama’s head on the platter not some sacrifice official!
Report Post »WebWrat
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:16pmRead all about it.
Report Post »http://emergingcorruption.com/2011/06/agenda-behind-fast-furious-gunrunner-program/
Rillobymorning
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:14pmWhen Holder resigns, I’ll be celebrating.
Report Post »Agnes
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:17pmTotally agree with you.
Report Post »highcarry
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 5:34pmdon’t rush right out and buy party supplies.
Report Post »drimmel
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:10pmMelson has a choice, to be the scapegoat or tell the truth on who and how high this went. Hope he kept the emails or a voice recordning of the conversations!
Report Post »Midwest Blonde
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:09pmThis operation should NEVER have happened. It’s about time someone took responsibility for it and resigned!
Report Post »Cheetosareus
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:08pmIf they want to fire Kenneth Melson they will have to pay him off or bump him off. He knows the DOJ knew and if he was smart he will have evidence hidden somewhere to guarantee his life.
Report Post »BlueStrat
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:58pmYou’ve got it a bit backwards, Cheeto.
You see, the way it works is that they first find someone they have something very damaging on, so as to keep them in line. They then put them where they want them and give them orders to carry out. If they are caught (like Mr. Melson), they have a way to keep them quiet by threatening them if they dare reveal the truth about who gave them orders to violate the law.
They do have a backup plan in case their cat’s-paw decides to come clean, though. I wonder if Mr. Melson will be found in the same park where Vince Foster was found?
If Melson tries to come clean before Congress, I can see the MSM’s story in my crystal ball:
“Former ATF Director Melson was found deceased in a Washington D.C. park early today. Melsons’ body was discovered bound and gagged, with 21 gunshots to the head, laying on a tarp. Officials say it‘s one of the worst cases of suicide they’ve ever seen, as apparently Melson had to change ammunition magazines…twice.”
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:14pmAnd Ollie North et al, were on the pro-American side as apposed to this fiasco being anti-American.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:20pmBlueStrat, a la Vince Foster.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:07pm@MONICNE Quit your troll job. You are lousy at it. lol. Stay here too long and hear all this truth, and you will become a staunch, gun-totting, hardcore, anti-liberal, Liberatarian and TEA party member.
TEA!
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:24pmI thought her ollie north reference was right on.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:56pmExcept Ollie was and still is an American Hero. He made mincemeat of the congressional hacks at the hearings. Thanks Ollie Thanks RR
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:17pmAnd Ollie North, Reagan, et al, were on the pro-American side as apposed to this fiasco being anti-American.
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:01pmHilary Clinton, Eric Holder, and Janet Napalitano: All directly involved.
This is the guy they are going to pin it all on. Shame on them. They are liars. And they will be caught.
“They will destroy themselves.” -Glenn Beck.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:01pmNail these corrupt, incompetent Mofos. power to the People
TEA!
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:00pmThis is NOT going to cut it. The ATF is the token “fall guy” and this entire scam was orchestrated by the White House and the corrupt DOJ!! Mr. Issa, get to the bottom of this and don’t let Eric holder get by with this crap! INVESTIGATE, then IMPEACH!!
Report Post »inexiletill2012
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:00pmOne down………..
One (Rest of Obamas administration) to go
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:59pmI hope every American has a gun and lots of ammo stashed. It’s now fact that ATF gave weapons to Mexican drug cartels resulting in (drumroll please) American deaths!
Let real American Patriots handle the problem. Privatize the deportation of illegals, and put troops on the Southern border.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:10pmAmen!!!
Report Post »Chainsoftyranny
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 11:19amThat is a brilliant plan. How much trouble would it stir up if we just went and did it. Constitutionally- We can claim we are there for the fireworks.
Report Post »TraceyM
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:55pmCan you say “cover-up”?
Report Post »OneRepublic4us
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:55pmThese people from the ATF need to throw Holder and Obama under the bus. Everyone knows they authorized this and then tied the agents hands when they wanted to go after the guns.
Report Post »OneRepublic4us
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:03pmYes the question of a cover up came out in the hearings on C-SPAN.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:10pmthey all need to step down… or we beat them into the ground. -these key stroking, green air sniffing control freaks aren’t going to win…these politicians do nothing for their money. absolutely nothing. shucking and jiving. straight up shucking and jiving… it’s lame … jail is too good for these lazy control freaks.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:54pmThis plan was so ill conceived and executed – Our boy Holder had to play a big part in it.
Report Post »Where is our MSM watergate investigators??? Oh yea they are combing Sarah Palin’s e-mails
The MSM is a national embarrassment and joke!
MONICNE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:06pmFive years in a row, the ATF had been criticized by DOJ for not arresting significant criminals engaged in Mexican Gun-Running. In the fall of 2009, the DOJ worked with ATF to develop a risky new Gun-Walking strategy to combat gun trafficking along the Southwest Border.
Report Post »rabblechat
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:47pm“Some are questioning how high up in the Justice Department knowledge of the operation had gone.”
Report Post »It will stop with him, he is the designated fall guy.
MONICNE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:55pmThis investigation will continue for several years, the weaponry will never be totally recovered. But you are right, this is their Ollie North, we will never get their Ronald Reagan.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:03pmOllie North is a true American Hero. Mr. Melson so far is a scapegoat, but it will be left to the future to see who he gives up.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:57pm13th – do you think this will go all the way up to U-S-Attorney-Michael-Garcia, after all?
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:15pmHey every one knows poop runs down hill – it just isn’t known who will step in it first. Obama and holder have good smellers and steped around it.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:48pmSince MONICNE the commie brings up the subject, lets expand on it. Back in the 80′s the democraps were doing everything they could to support the communist Sandinistas in Nicaragua, led by Daniel Ortega. President Reagan was trying to support the Nicaraguan Freedom Fighters known as the Contras. The people of Nicaragua and the Catholic Church supported the Contras. This was borne out later when Reagan/North et al, forced free elections and the Sandinistas were thrown out. Reagan was committed to giving the Contras everything they needed to keep the Contras alive and viable. The democraps who controlled congress, passed an unconstitutional law called the Bolens Amendment, prohibiting Pres Reagan from helping the Contras. Jim Wright (D-TX) the speaker of the house wrote a dear commandant letter to his good friend Ortega, asking him if he could hold down the atrocities for a bit, as there was a vote coming up on aid to the Contras and the democraps would have a better chance of shooting it down. Also John F’n sKerry and Tom Harkin went down to Nicaragua to let Ortega know he had the democraps full support. To satisfy Mr Reagan’s edict to keep the Contras afloat at any cost, Col North and others devised a plan, which sold some armament to Iran (they were involved in a war with Iraq at the time), to get money to furnish the needed supplies to the Contras. The armament sold to Iran was paultry and was used up in a short time by Iran, probably a week.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:01pmCont.
As I alluded to earlier, the strategy worked and the Sandinistas were forced to hold free elections, in which they were tossed out. It was learned later that the Sandinistas were committing atrocities, murdering Priests and Nuns, dressing up like Contras for the edification of the Leftwing democrap party and their media. They of course didn’t fool the citizens of Nicaragua. I have a photo in my files of sKerry, Harkin and Ortega shaking hands, big ****-eating grins on sKerry and Harkin’s faces.
MONICNE, gives himself completely away by showing that he like the democraps supported the communist Sandinistas. Or he could just be completely insane too (aren’t all leftists?), as a comment he made earlier equating the previous administration’s alleged desire for “bigger and better busts”. with the underhanded and extremely unethical, and murderous attempt to subvert the 2nd Amendment by supplying guns to the drug cartels of mexico. It’s not even as close as an apple and oranges analogy. It shows a complete lack of comprehension, by a piece of human debris with his head up his a$$.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 2:49pmHi9 VietVet – Thanks for your service. Bro.
Tonkin 72-75
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:47pmAh, the Fall Guy is now front and center.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:17pmIndeed and the real criminals of Napoletano, Mr Obama and the Justice Department will get away without even a reprimand; they should be tried and if convicted jailed for conspiracy and breaking of so many laws on the books.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:02pmThis was about Obama planting US guns in Mexico so he could get his UN gun ban treaty. Hillary and the Mexican president are part of this plot… Now it is understandable why it was done.
Report Post »Quietman
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 5:32pmYou hit the nail on the head RepubliCorp
Report Post »Visions (Southern Cross)
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:46pminteresting..
Report Post »I Hear the Wolves
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:52pmThank you for the insightful commentary, OP.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:53pmHow much did Obama know a bout this and when did he know it…?
He’s just the fall guy
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:53pmThis is just excellent news.
The gentleman realizes the magnitude of his actions (including dead law enforcement) and is resigning. Good, honorable. A model for others.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:58pmThe head of the Justice Department and Homeland Security also need to step down on this matter; they are the ones at the head of the snake save for Mr Obama, who I feel also carries a fair share of the blame.
All three need to go.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 2:59pmThis man did not initiate this Policy. I want the man(Probably Barry), who told the man(Joe Biden), who told the man(Eric Holder), who told this scapegoat. to initiate this Policy.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:04pm^____^____^
Sacrificial lamb…. patsy for Holder, Napolitano & BHO!
Rep Issa better continue to press on this and not back off as I am sure this is just the first of many resignations all to protect those who ordered the operation.
Its abundantly clear this was nothing but an attempt to subvert the 2nd Amend by “legitimately” boosting the numbers that were lied about over a year ago on US guns being used in Mexican drug wars/ crimes.
BHO made it clear he would never go after the 2nd… he never said he wouldnt go after them indirectly via taxes, regs or UN treaties. Dont forget what he said about working below the radar on gun control!
Report Post »Mike Westfall No Hiding
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:04pmThis is just an attempt to hide the real knowledge and participation of Eric Holder and others. Keep digging Mr. Issa. Sunshine is a great disinfectant.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:07pmAbolish the ENTIRE ATF!!!!!
ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND FIREARMS ARE NOT ILLEGAL!!!
They’ve been caught red-handed trying a sneak attack on the 2ND Amendment!
It must be ABOLISHED!
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:12pmI‘m glad he’s gone. The program was moronic and it cost lives. He should be sued personally by the families that lost loved ones because of this dope.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
fastfacts
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:15pmWAS THIS PROGRAM HELPED BY THE GUN CONTROL LOBBY…?
An article today came out claiming that there is possible evidence that the gun control lobby helped push this program: http://tiny.cc/pfa7u . Could it be to increase gun controls and make it harder for us to get our guns and protect ourselves if the time ever came to it?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:16pmI’m still waiting for Issa to charge Holder with contempt of Congress. Records were subpoenaed, and Holder is ignoring and/or stonewalling — for five months now.
And, if Holder knew, Obama knew.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:21pmImpeach Obama!
Report Post »101
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:22pmCongress needs to get to the bottom of it, Attorney General Eric Holder had full knowledge of the gun running “Fast & furious” and did nothing…Eric Holder is guilty as the ATF “head” that just took one for the team…Congress needs to do their fricken job and go after Eric Holder “head” AG !
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:24pmOllie North!
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:25pmFall guy resigns, they go to CHICAGO for a replacement for ATF head. Nothing more to see here, move along.
This is the MOST CORRUPT bunch of scoundrels our nation has ever endured. They all need to be investigated and prosecuted for their crimes against the USA.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:29pmHolder and Barry probably set this in place. The the ATF head takes the fall. ATF is just one of many agencies that need to go.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:32pmSo gunrunning for the cartels by this islamomarxist regime will continue , right ?
Report Post »I mean after the fall guy falls and the media stops covering the story ???
MONICNE
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:54pm13th IMAM: You men you want the last administration – they are the ones who wanted Bigger & Better Busts (according to FOX news yesterday)
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:03pmI read recently that Mr. Melson was an Ashkenazi Jew. Can anyone confirm that?
Report Post »chazman
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:13pmOBAMMY approved this fiasco, but never signed off on it. This was some lame attempt to further his stupid gun control agenda. I would say there are at least 20 AHOLES in and around the WH that know about this. We haven‘t heard the end of ’Fast and Furious.’ Geez, what a load of crapola … I hope we can nail this ‘presidential TURD’ to the Impeachment tree!
Report Post »fatjack
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:25pmStep down? Prosecute.
Report Post »getalong
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:27pmAttorney General Holder will meet with…… Well, we know how high up this investigation will go – not high enough with Holder holding the strings. Sad, that not even in our justice department we cannot be assured of non-bias investigations.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:47pmClassic, though. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:48pmYep the way i see this he is just a fall guy,Holder and Obama will keep pretending they knew nothing
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:48pmAnything less than a pile of criminal prosecutions is inadequate.
There are poeple in the ATF deserving of manslaughter charges and incarceration.
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:56pmThis story goes higher up than this sacrificial lamb. Kudos to Grassley, Issa and King. I hope they keep digging.
The story they floated about tracking where the guns are going is laughable on its face. The anti-2nd amendment bureaucrats saw Fast and Furious as a way to create a crisis to implement greater gun control. Just think back a couple of years ago of all the government officials claiming “90% of all guns found in Mexico come from the U.S.” This mantra was repeated by Hillary Clinton, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the media outlets and many others including Mexican officials. They were creating the crisis in order to demonize the 2nd amendment. They almost succeeded. But they will try again.
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 5:31pmTSA NIGHTMARE !!!!!!!
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/732/896/TSA_Now_Storming_Public_Places_8,000_Times_a_Year.html
Report Post »avenger
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 5:55pmhow about the whole fkng administration !
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:09pmreally ..do te citizens of this country really need to pu up with this crap ? REALLY ?
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=313305
Obama’s DoD nominee caught in 1-world scheme
Co-leader of initiative to cede oceans to U.N.-based international law
Read more: Obama’s DoD nominee caught in 1-world scheme http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=313305#ixzz1PrApVP75
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:11pmI think a probe would trun up Holder also JUST MY OPINION !
Report Post »Till they dump all involved in Waco I’ll never Trust them! ! ! !
Even if the Branch Dividians were lala!
the Army is not do partisipate in domestic raids!
And they need to stop the come out or else we’ll BURN you out ! ! ! !
DisillusionedDaily
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:22pmI believe what Rush talked about today, that the administration not only knew about this operation but was orchestrating it to cause trouble that would allow them to implement some sort of gun control. If the operation had not been ratted out, (thank God that it was), they were hoping for an incident that would turn public opinion for them. They will do anything to advance their agenda!
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:31pmHe’s the sacrifice,,,,follow thru with this so they can’t cut the investigative trail. It goes up higher.
Also,,,,follow up to verify that he did indeed resign or actually retired. Gonna get a pension?
This thing stinks even more now than it did the beginning of the year.
Getting to be like a “pork pull”,,,,,the guilty are trying to pull it apart into pieces so the investigation gets ‘cut off.’
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:32pmAnd file FEDERAL charges against the guilty ones….irregardless of who they are.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:35pmWhen a governmental action involves ‘outside our borders’,,,,,an ageny head DOES NOT MAKE THE CALL. It must come from yet even higher authority (you know who).
Don’t let this fall between the cracks because of a resignation. Push the investigation and prosecute.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:22pmThis was a ruse gone bad, the intent was to blame our 2nd amendment rights
for the crime in Mexico but Alex Jones exposed their operation
and forced them to admit it was an ATF operation.
@hauschild sorry you don’t like Southpark.
Report Post »TheCenturion
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:14pmDO NOT let this end here!!!
This is a coverup of epic proportions!! This was a plot to get the North American Small Arms Treaty pushed through,
The U,N, would regulate guns in this country if they were to get it pushed through, Obviously they will have a difficult time since any treaty must be ratified by a 2/3 senate vote,
Still, the fact that they are willing to “set up” Americans in such a manner is down right evil,
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:32pmThings are going to be worse. Andrew Traver will likely be the replacement. He’ll just be another Anti-Gun Rights Chicago crony with power over us…
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 1:23amThese people should be arrested for murder!
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 1:28amHolder has denied knowing about this? That would mean he inept at his job. Tough times for holder; he either was part of a very bad mistake or is a negligent Attorney General. Sure the media will look into this
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 9:03amWhat’s the real truth?
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 9:16amEverything you need to know about “Fast and Furious”
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on June 21, 2011 at 6:59pm.
Somebody had to fall on the sword.
You didn’t think Eric Holder would take the blame?
Report Post »Janet? Barak? No way.