Blog: Westmoreland on the IG's Report on Fast and Furious
Statement
Today, the 471 page report from the Justice Department's Inspector General regarding the investigation into Operation Fast and Furious has finally been released. Well, they would have been better off saving the paper because inside was a bunch of nothing.
The internal investigation of the Department of Justice by the Department of Justice reports that Attorney General Eric Holder was unaware of the illegal operation. Inspector General Michael Horowitz referred to dozens of guilty staffers in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, but didn't criticize Holder for being in the dark. The excuse of flawed leadership and lack of accountability is all the Inspector General was able to find.
Flawed leadership is indeed the case. Did any higher-ups ever think that when conducting such an investigation, how are those doing the research going to report findings on their superior to their superior? If you are a superior inside the office, why would you find your friend, Mr Holder, guilty? Why didn't another department or organization look into accused individuals inside the DOJ? Is this an attempt to keep the situation under control and internal?
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has tried for over a year now to get the necessary documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, and Congress voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. Even then, we still aren't getting answers.
With the close of this investigation by the FBI, we are no closer to providing answers and closure to the family and friends of Agent Brian Terry. Tomorrow, the Oversight Committee will hold a hearing titled "IG Report: The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspectoral General Examines the Failures of Operation Fast and Furious." I look forward to their findings and will continue to support the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as they move forward with this investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
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