Howard Nemerov points to evidence that shows ATF and FBI collaborated to sell guns to people who were convicted felons, who otherwise could not pass a NICS check:
When asked about the breakdown, Stephen Fischer, a spokesman for the NICS System, said the FBI had no comment. However, an ATF agent who worked on the Fast and Furious investigation, told Fox News that NICS officials called the ATF in Phoenix whenever their suspects tried to buy a gun. That conversation typically led to a green light for the buyers, when it should have stopped them.
I don’t think I really care whether or not Holder says he didn’t know about it. This happened on his watch and he should step down. This operation is looking more and more reckless and illegal every day.
If Holder didn’t know about the operation or the specifics, then that just shows that he was incompetent. Either way he is not fit for the office he currently holds.
How about a special prosecutor getting appointed? Enough hearings, time for some real investigation and charges against the offenders.
Yes, Holder should step down immediately. He should also be charged, as should anyone else who knew about this.
What makes me want to pull my hair out is that this SNAFU is now being cited by Justice Dept. officials to support their 90% nonsense. Perhaps they should rephrase it to say “90% of traceable guns from Mexican crime scenes originated in U.S. sting operations.”
I think at the end of the day, if this scandal is not simply swept under the rug (a big if, sadly), what will prove to investigators that it was put into motion by top political appointees at the DoJ will be the inter-agency coordination, specifically the involvement of the FBI, which not only ran many of the buyers as agents but also intervened directly with the NICS operators to ensure the buys were approved. Unlikely as it seemed already that local ATF street agents would do something that would so obviously get them in trouble, it’s impossible to believe even a regional ATF director would have had enough pull with the FBI to pervert NICS. DEA, FBI, ATF, DHS—these guys don’t typically lose a lot of love for each other, and certainly don’t risk careers for agents in other branches, at least not without prior orders. The directives for Fast & Furious came from the top, and hopefully–for once anyway–that’s where responsibility for it will fall.
Which house assigns special prosecutors? In either case, the Gunwalker hearings should expose much of the corruption within the ATF’s leadership to require a special prosecutor. Let the facts out. Shine light on those involved. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
More at the hearing tomorrow, boys and girls. Watch for the fat old man with the cane in the audience. If they ask the right question they have the evidence to back up, the whole thing comes tumbling down.