LoBiondo Renews Call for Resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder

Statement

U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today renewed his call for the resignation of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in light of his continued refusal to release key documents to Congressional oversight committees related to the failed "Fast and Furious" program under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

"Attorney General Holder continues to stonewall Congress' oversight responsibilities by releasing only selective documents, providing misleading testimony and hiding behind President Obama's decision to grant executive privilege. The "Fast and Furious' program has already claimed hundreds of lives, including that of a U.S. border control agent, while placing thousands of guns into the hands of criminals. If the Attorney General does not recognize and appreciate the severity of this situation and the significant errors in judgment that allowed ATF to conduct this operation, then he is not fit to be the nation's top law enforcement officer," said LoBiondo. "As he has failed to serve the American people ably and keep them safe, I reiterate my call for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to resign."

LoBiondo, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, also noted the Justice Department's less-than-independent investigation into individual(s) associated with several high-level national security leaks in the past few months.

"It is clear to me that the Attorney General is not fully committed to finding the individual or individuals associated with releasing highly classified and sensitive information about national security programs to the media. I am deeply concerned by his decision to keep the investigation internal to the Justice Department, rather than appoint an independent special counsel. These leaks threaten the security of Americans and our allies and needlessly expose our military and intelligence operatives to grave risk. A fair and thorough investigation must be conducted. Unfortunately, the integrity of that investigation is questioned while it remains under the supervision of Attorney General Holder," concluded LoBiondo.

LoBiondo first publicly called for the Attorney General's resignation in November 2011. If contempt charges are brought to the full House for a vote, LoBiondo will vote to hold Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress.

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