Operation Fast and Furious - Does Anyone Remember That?

If Barack Obama is re-elected President, it is doubtful that Eric Holder will continue on as Attorney General. Whether he is imprisoned for lying to Congress or not still has not been adjudicated. 

Yes, I understand that Attorney General Eric Holder denied that he knew anything about Operation Fast and Furious. If he lied, he should be fired for lying. If he truly didn't know, he should be fired for incompetence. Read a little further and decide for yourself.

Based on the Congressional record (prior to the conclusion of the investigation by Congressman Issa R-CA) "No one at Justice Department headquarters has been able to provide answers to the (Brian) Terry family. During their respective transcribed interviews, Monty Wilkinson stated 38 times that he “did not recall” or “did not know.” In a similar fashion, Gary Grindler did so 29 times, and Ed Siskel 21 times. In two different transcribed interviews, Dennis Burke said he “did not recall” or “did not know” a combined total of 161 times." (Congressional Report)

 Who in the Obama Justice Department did what with Operation Fast and Furious? 

Based on the Joint Staff Report prepared for Rep. Darrell Issa, Chairman, US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Senator Charles Grassley, Ranking member of the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary -- 112th Congress October 29, 2012 

Office of the Attorney General

Eric H. Holder, Jr. - Attorney General

After taking office, Holder delivered a series of speeches touting a new strategy to combat Mexican drug cartels. These speeches formed the basis of a new Department strategy.

Robert “Monty” Wilkinson - Deputy Chief of Staff

Monty Wilkinson read weekly reports discussing Operation Fast and Furious, yet failed to act on the information. He believed that it was not the responsibility of the Attorney General’s office to manage or supervise the Department’s components. Before Agent Brian Terry was murdered, Wilkinson inquired about the Attorney General’s participation in announcing the Fast and Furious take-down.

Gary Grindler - Acting Deputy Attorney General

Gary Grindler attended detailed briefings on Operation Fast and Furious in 2010. He had a passive management style, waiting for staff to bring issues to him instead of seeking them out. In January 2011, Grindler became the Chief of Staff to Attorney General Holder, a position he currently holds.

Edward Siskel - Associate Deputy Attorney General

Edward Siskel was responsible for the ATF portfolio in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General during Operation Fast and Furious, even though he had no prior training or experience with ATF. He also attended detailed briefings on Fast and Furious. Siskel is currently an Associate Counsel at the White House.

Lanny Breuer - Assistant Attorney General

Led by Lanny Breuer, zDOJ's Criminal Division decided to resurrect the prosecution of Operation Wide Receiver even though the case had used the reckless and misguided tactic of gunwalking. Breuer dedicated staff resources to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona to help in Operation Fast and Furious. His staff also authorized at least six wiretap applications on his behalf in support of Fast and Furious.

Jason Weinstein - Deputy Assistant Attorney General 

Jason Weinstein authorized wiretap applications for Operation Fast and Furious. He knew about the gunwalking tactics used in Operation Wide Receiver. He failed to connect the dots between the two cases. Weinstein resigned on September 19, 2012.

Kenneth Blanco - Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Kenneth Blanco authorized at least two wiretap applications in Operation Fast and Furious.

James Trusty - Acting Chief, Gang Unit

James Trusty was a key liaison between Criminal Division leadership and prosecutors sent by the Criminal Division to Arizona.

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona

Dennis Burke - U.S. Attorney

Dennis Burke was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona during Operation Fast and Furious. He frequently met with ATF and received updates on the case. In the early stages of Fast and Furious, Burke wanted to hold out for a bigger case instead of arresting the straw purchasers and closing the investigation. Burke resigned on August 30, 2011.

ATF Headquarters

Kenneth Melson - Acting Director

Kenneth Melson was instrumental in starting a new initiative between ATF and the Criminal Division, whereby Criminal Division attorneys assisted ATF with firearms investigations and prosecutions. Melson retired on September 19, 2012.

William Hoover - Deputy Director

Realizing that Fast and Furious had become an enormous case, William Hoover ordered an exit strategy for the investigation. The Department of Justice never implemented it. Hoover was also instrumental in briefing personnel at Department of Justice headquarters about the status of Fast and Furious, providing frequent updates to the Deputy Attorney General’s office. Hoover retired from ATF on August 1, 2012.

William McMahon - Deputy Assistant Director for Field Operations—West

McMahon authorized the wiretap applications on behalf of ATF before they were sent to the Department of Justice’s Office of Enforcement Operations for review and approval.

William Newell - Special Agent in Charge, Phoenix Field Division

William Newell had a history of using reckless tactics during his investigations. He believed he had the full support of senior Justice Department officials in creating and executing Fast and Furious.

When you look at the list above of who did what, it's apparent that he was correct.