White House Quietly Releases New Fast and Furious Emails, Withholds Some Due to ‘Confidentiality Interests’
- Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:46pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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The Obama administration released 102 pages of new documents related to Operation Fast and Furious late Friday, revealing extensive communication between the ATF and the White House national security team about the secret gun trafficking program.
The documents, sent to Congress as part of an ongoing investigation into the failed program, indicate substantial discussion between the White House and the ATF, though do not show any direct talk of allowing guns to flow unimpeded into Mexico.
CBS reported:
The documents show extensive communications between then-ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix office Bill Newell — who led Fast and Furious — and then-White House National Security Staffer Kevin O’Reilly. Emails indicate the two also spoke on the phone. Such detailed, direct communications between a local ATF manager in Phoenix and a White House national security staffer has raised interest among Congressional investigators looking into Fast and Furious. Newell has said he and O’Reilly are long time friends.
[...]
The email exchanges span a little over a month last summer. They discuss ATF’s gun trafficking efforts along the border including the controversial Fast and Furious case, though not by name. The emails to and from O‘Reilly indicate more than just a passing interest in the Phoenix office’s gun trafficking cases. They do not mention specific tactics such as “letting guns walk.”
According to the documents, which contain many duplicates, the ATF‘s Newell sent O’Reilly at the White House an “arrow chart reflecting the ultimate destination of firearms we intercepted and/or where the guns ended up.” The chart shows arrows leading from Arizona to destinations all over Mexico.
“The arrow chart is really interesting – and – no surprise – implies at least that different [Drug Trafficking Organizations] in Mexico have very different and geographically distinct networks in the US for acquiring guns. Did last year’s TX effort develop a similar graphic?” O’Reilly wrote in response.
Also included in the documents were a number of photographs, including images of a .50 caliber rifle seized in Tuscon, Ariz. as part of the same joint task force Fast and Furious was a part of.
“These pics are just an example of some of the guns, ammo and magazines seized within the past week in Phoenix related to the ‘large OCDETF case’ I mentioned. When a 22 year old kid on State financial assistance walks into a gun store and plops down $12,000 in cash to buy a tripod mounted .50 caliber rifle that’s a clue (even for us) that he’s involved in trafficking firearms for a Mexican [Drug Trafficking Organization],” Newell wrote.
You can download the complete document set here.
Despite the release, a number of documents are still being withheld. According to Politico, Kathryn Ruemmler, chief counsel to President Barack Obama, indicated that the White House was holding on to an unspecified number of internal e-mails exchanged among three National Security Staff aides:
“These internal NSS emails are not included in the enclosed documents because the [Executive Office of the President] has significant confidentiality interests in its internal communications,” Ruemmler wrote in a letter to House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
One administration source confirmed to CBS that White House security staffers were “briefed on the toplines of ongoing federal efforts, but nobody in White House knew about the investigative tactics being used in the operation, let alone any decision to let guns walk.”
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Comments (111)
drago
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:28pmHmmm, dropping 12k for a .50 cal rifle, what a barrett? Sorry, but for 12k, you can by 2 barrett .50 cal.rifles at Cabalas The weapon in the pic, is a version of the m2 browning. To buy a full-auto weapon in the U.S., a ffl is required, and the idea that drug cartels bought guns from gun dealers here, and paid full retail is ludacris, when all the have to do is make a call to an illegal dealer outside the U.S. and get fully automatic weapons. It is in my opinion, these weapons never made it south of the border, but are now on the streets of America, as gifts to obummers voting block…..
Report Post »SLARTIBARTFAST
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:45pmI don’t think you can even touch a semi-auto M2 for this.
Report Post »drago
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 8:24pm@Slartibartfast
Report Post »No you cant , just the bolt action model.
AirtechJr
Posted on October 4, 2011 at 10:59amIt is simply amazing to me that the “Obama Water Carriers” still refrain from this story. Fast and Furious should be above the fold on every paper in the world.
Report Post »In our Post 2008 society, it would be racist to hold this administration to the rule of law OR the Constitution.
The Washington Post has been overly silent, while the rest of the MSM is simplistic to the charges at best.
Bring on the Special Prosecutor. Soon Please.
Dean Toadblatt
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:23pmObama and the Democrats don’t want me to have an M1 Garand. But giving a .50 cal to known drug runners, killers, and gangbangers who are nototiously the cruelest in the world….why, that’s OK by them!
Obama is seriously insane and has contributed to the deaths of many people! Where’s the idiot left calling HIM a war criminal?
Report Post »Alucard
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:31pmI agree, it is very upsetting that they are attempting to have the M1 Grands destroyed rather than allowing us to purchase them.
Report Post »randy
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 7:35pmI love my Lee-Enfield MA Lithgow S.M.L.E. Mark III 1944
Shoots a nice little .301 round :)
Completely restored mine and took it out to the range to run about 50 rounds though it last weekend.
looks a lot like these, only nicer :)
Report Post »http://www.moral-flexibility.net/images/smle_no4mk1_01_sm.jpg
http://thepaulkfamily.com/gunweb/Pictures/smlemk3LA1942/smlemk3LA1942rt.jpg
NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 8:07pmI don‘t know about them wanting to destroy all the old M1’s, but you can find them in various condition levels if you want to look.
Report Post »evilpa
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:20pmI don’t feel l like the Congress is being bold or aggressive enough in this situations. Why haven’t all of these witnesses that are not talking been slapped with Contempt of Congress and thrown in jail, they may decide to talk if they suffer a little discomfort. Why aren’t they doing the same with DOJ and WH to get the information they want. It is time to start kicking some tail, and punish some people!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 7:17pmI agree .. long past time to kick some bu tts and get to the bottom of this cr*p .. and what about the guns that went from Florida .. where is the map of that ???
Report Post »blownaway
Posted on October 2, 2011 at 3:05amReally… how much guilt do you need before they are held accountable! Please stay the course Mr. Issa.
Report Post »chasbronson
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:11pmThe most transparent administration ever strikes again.
Report Post »FunkALunk
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:18pmThis must be part of that “draining the swamp” plan.
Report Post »Agnes
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 7:50pmPhony, corrupt, racist, and lying administration!
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 9:42pmThe swamp is overflowing over the levy.
Report Post »designbyinspiration
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:07pmBTW, that is not a photo of a .50cal rifle. THAT my friends is a Browning M2 .50 caliber heavy machinegun. Been in service for MANY decades cause it’s just that good and durable. Big time boom-boom given to the druggies from our ‘grate’ leader.
Report Post »Quencher
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:04pmI am sure that the Mexican Government is anxious to be convinced that fast&furious was not for the purpose of arming the cartels to aid the cartels in overthrowing the Mexican government. Until the whole story unfolds I am sure that Mexico will be wondering, as I am wondering. The reasons given for the gun running do not convince me that there is not a far more devious motive yet to be exposed. A revolution in Mexico would populate the USA with refugees that could be Obama’s election salvation.
Report Post »sodacrackers2
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 9:50pmCan anyone even begin to comprehend why on earth our own government would be doing this? Nakita would be so proud of what they have done for communism.
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 11:47pmYeahhhh there is a heck of alot more going on here than meets the eye. Does this administration do anything it says it is, for the reasons it says it is????
Report Post »Big Dave
Posted on October 2, 2011 at 12:22amIt never dawned on me that the Obama Administration’s real purpose with Fast & Furious might be to overthrow the Mexican government. I think you’re right!
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:58pmThis one is completely coming apart on the administration. Now keep track of who in the media will actually report on it.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:17pmThis isn’t the only one. I’m wondering just how far Obama and his handlers will let it unravel before manufacturing some reason to declare martial law.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:53pmPlease folks,help expose this! Sign up and sign this petition!
“Whereas a Federal undertaking known as ”Operation Fast & Furious” has entailed the felonious conveyance of firearms from lawful firearms dealers of the United States of America to an unknown number of criminal enterprises located in Mexico; whereas such conveyancing was intended to incriminate said dealers; and whereas said conveyancing has resulted directly or indirectly in the deaths of an unknowable number of people, but believed to be approximately 200, including at least two US citizens: therefore, this petition calls upon the Obama Administration to immediately, without delay, evasion, or obfuscation, to discover and disclose all particulars of said operation, and demand immediate resignation of any individual liable of associated criminal actions, not excluding the president.”
http://wh.gov/4ia
Thank you!
Report Post »bilorites
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:24pmABSOLUTELY !!!
Report Post »this bunch is doing all they can as fast as they can to destroy the USA as we know it…. so they can remake and “fundamentally transform” it into a socialist country, part of the new world order…
Alucard
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:26pmIts sad but more people are worried about legalizing pot on that website than they are about the crimes of our fed in regards to Fast n Furious. /signed
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:38pmWould love to sign it. There are currently 6 signatures? There should be 6,000 within the hour. 60,000 by morning. Pass this on, folks.
Yes, our names will be “out there”. They already have them, you know, so at least let our neighbors and communities know who we are should any of us suddenly, unexplainedly “go missing”.
Report Post »Mrtoohappy
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:48pmStaffer Kevin O’Reilly is being set up for the fall guy, I’ll bet. When we all know who should go down for this mess.
Report Post »M13
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 8:46pmIf he makes it back from Iraq alive.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:44pmCriminals.
Report Post »Harold B
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:40pmAt least they have restrictions on American citizens to acquire guns.
Report Post »NC
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:37pmImpeaching Obama is not the solution. Voting him out of office IS the solution.
With an impeachment, it would put Biden in the oval office and open the door for Hillary to run for POTUS in 2012. While Obama will not be re-elected, another democrat running instead of Obama, could win.
NC
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:30pmobama has a new secret lover ??????? named michael???
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/10/obama_refers_to_his_wife_as_michael.html
man this guy is dumb if he really forgets his wifes name
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:33pmI never looked that close – Does she have an adams apple?
Report Post »May have been a Freudian slip
bilorites
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:40pmshe does look like an angry male CHIMP
Report Post »LB
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:48pmDon‘t ask don’t tell
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:28pmThis is treason.. why isn’t someone impeaching Obama.. because we have a corrupt Senate and they would never impeach Obama.. not even if the Mexican cartel was on their doorstep!! We have evil Democratic Senators!
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:25pmLet’s impeach soon! Let’s get the prison cell ready sooner! If it causes a civil war, oh well, it is coming sooner or later anyway. With God on our side there is no way we can lose. God Bless America!
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:41pmPWA, you’re absolutely right, except for the parts about impeachment, imprisonment, civil war and having God on your side.
Report Post »M 4 Colt
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:42pmBroker0101 your just an obtuse left wing loon if you believe haft of what you say on the blaze.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:25pmWHERE is the independent Special Prosecutor(s) for this and the GREEN loans!!
Report Post »Americans want justice not politicking
momprayn
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:15pmMan, how I hope and pray that they NAIL these criminals, enemies to America – traitors that have invaded us. I can hardly stand it that they get away with so much….at least Holder/DOJ who are protecting Obama from all his fraud and crimes…..get rid of all of his “protectors” and have all the hard truth and justice done at last!!!
So many scandals………so little time.
Report Post »designbyinspiration
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:05pmYou’ve hit on something. the faster we strip all the ‘fall guys’ the quicker we see the crap continuing with only obama and holder in office. No excuses then.
Report Post »tarpon
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:03pmWho can figure out why our government would sell guns to Mexican criminals and US criminals?
Take down the second amendment, Obama’s under the radar plan exposed.
Report Post »THEBRAIN
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:00pm0bama not only knew about Operation Fast & Furious, he also saw to the funding of it…
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
http://readthestimulus.org/hr1...
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Page H.R.1-16
Report Post »For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement
Assistance’’, $40,000,000, for competitive grants to provide assistance
and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border and
in High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas to combat criminal narcotics
activity stemming from the Southern border, of which $10,000,000 shall
be transferred to ‘‘Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Salaries and Expenses’’ for the ATF Project Gunrunner.
capecodsully
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:59pmJUSTICE FOR BRIAN TERRY. Obama and Holder belong in prison. America will find out what they knew.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:13pmIf Obama can take credit for killing Bin Laden and al-Awlaki just because he is in the White House, then he darn sure ought to take the blame for Brian Terry!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:57pmEventually, the light of day finds all corruption!! Need to stay on daylight savings for this administration!!
Report Post »legendarytwo
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:57pmCrooks investigating crooks.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:53pmHow the progressives could survive all these scandals in the next election is beyond me!!
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:52pmThey need to investigate the billions of American tax dollars missing from Iraq
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:58pmYes they do!!!
Report Post »michael48
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:37pmdem-wits had all three branches of Gov. Gumba-ville…if they had ANYTHING you can make book, it would’ve been all over the MSM propaganda , OR the Dem-wits made MONEY ON IT…..and THAT’S A GIVEN…
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 4:51pm…… Withholds Some Due to ‘Confidentiality Interests’
BS! They withheld some due to the IMPEACHMENT evidence they contain.
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 5:00pmhow do you know? let’s see some proof
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:28pmExactly,it’s like the eighteen minutes of tape erased in watergate,it’s just somebody doing some cya.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:57pm@Captain Crunch — indeed, indeed.
Report Post »IndyNWguy
Posted on October 2, 2011 at 11:42pm@ steelhead
“how do you know? Let’s see some proof”
How many hours a day are required to achieve stupidity at your level? How many self-inflicted blows to the head have you endured? Really, it is quite impressive to witness.
The point Captain Crunch is making (and it only takes a little thinking to figure this one out) is that one can only assume that the unreleased docs are, in fact, incriminating because otherwise there really is no justification not to release them. The proof you’re looking for is being held from you by the very criminal, er, person you’re trying to defend.
Do you now understand? You should. After all, it was your ilk that came up with the catchy and oh so witty slogan “Bush Lied People Died”. When ALL (in caps for emphasis (which means it is important.)) the evidence was presented it turned out that he did NOT, in fact, lie but rather, was lied to!
So I’m stunned by your goofy reply to Captain Crunch. You would think that if anyone understood the importance of examining ALL the evidence it would be those who were made to look like fools for not having done so in the first place.
Now, before you respond, wipe your chin and the spittle from your screen…
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