AG Holder responds to critics on Fast and Furious

By: Sharyl Attkisson
Topics: News

(Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In a letter to Congress, Attorney General Eric Holder has gone on the record with the most details yet about what he and other Justice Department officials knew about ATF's Fast and Furious operation, even though memos surfaced earlier this week showing multiple briefing memos mentioning Fast and Furious were sent to him as early as July of last year.

Holder says that his testimony to Congress, stating he first heard of Fast and Furious earlier this year, "was truthful and accurate... I have no recollection of knowing about Fast and Furious prior to the public controversy about it."

In his letter, Holder also criticized the House Committee investigating Fast and Furious, saying he cannot sit idly by "as law enforcement and government employees who devote their lives to protecting our citizens be considered 'accessories to murder'."

Leahy plans Senate oversight hearing with Holder

Holder maintains he didn't know about the controversial gunwalking tactics used in the case.

The Attorney General says that while he was sent received memos on Fast and Furious, they are "actually provided to and reviewed by members of my staff and the staff of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General."

As CBS News has reported, the Deputy Attorney General during Fast and Furious, Gary Grindler is now Holder's Chief of Staff. Documents provided to Congress indicate Grindler received a detailed briefing on Fast and Furious in March of 2010 and made handwritten notes on briefing materials.

However, in the letter, Holder says Grindler "was not told of the unacceptable tactics employed in the operation in his regular monthly meetings with ATF..."

"I now understand some senior officials within the Department were aware at the time there was an operation called Fast and Furious although they were not advised of the unacceptable operational tactics being used in it," says Holder's letter.

Ariz. sheriffs call gunwalker "unconscionable," call for independent probe

Holder blamed Congress for failing to consider whether "additional tools are needed to stem the flow of guns to Mexico" and warned "until we move beyond the current political climate..nothing is going to change."

Late today, a spokesman for the House Oversight Committee investigating Fast and Furious said: "If Attorney General Holder had said these things five months ago when Congress asked him about Operation Fast and Furious, it might have been more believable."

Sharyl Attkisson
Sharyl Attkisson is a CBS News investigative correspondent based in Washington. All of her stories, videos and blogs are available here.
Follow on Twitter »

99 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 99 Comments


by Thaitony October 14, 2011 6:47 PM EDT: Holder is an absolute disgrace as an Attorney General. The worst in a cabinet filled with the inept and the unqualified. I can hardly wait for the next episode. What next Eric? Proclaiming "thighing" as not even a misdemeanor? You infidels don't know what "thighing" is? Google it and see how your Muslim brothers get their jollies.; Reply to this comment


by FerdFerkle October 8, 2011 7:53 PM EDT: "until we move beyond the current political climate..nothing is going to change."??? huh, it'll never change with all the boobs we have in congress Democrats & Republicans both.; Reply to this comment

by LyleWy October 8, 2011 7:47 PM EDT

Holder is a criminal just like the one and only one that appointed him and that is President Osama Obama!!! They need to be found in contemp of office and be hung in front of the nearest court house!!!

Reply to this comment


by jayz1943 October 9, 2011 1:50 AM EDT: Eric Holder and Barack Obama have lost the respect and their credibility with rational thinking American citizens.


by baf827 October 9, 2011 9:42 AM EDT: you mean like those crimminals CHENEY/bush, Rumsfeld, Rice et al, still waiting for THEIR indictments and firing squad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by bmallen3 October 8, 2011 5:32 PM EDT

Holder was the one who talked Clinton into the Marc Rich pardon too. This incompetent unqualified idiot needs to resign now and take his boss with him.

Reply to this comment


by LyleWy October 8, 2011 7:30 PM EDT: I F'n agree with you. He should be charged with treason against our country along with Obama. They are out to destroy this country. Time to take up arms to protect ourselves against those in our government that are out to put us into socialism and to me that is communism and I would rather fight and die than to live under dictatorship!!!


by shortydoowap October 8, 2011 5:26 PM EDT: Ths liberal idiots who worship Obama and have the "Blame Bush" attitude ought to understand that Bush did not start this program, nor did he have anything similar. Obama's administration started this program. It is solely Obama/Holder's doing. Not only did they force sales of guns (against gunshop wishes, even) tyo Mexican straw purchasers, Obamas administration went on record lamenting the flow of guns into Mexico and called for tighter gun control. They think Americans are stupid. Sad part is, those that still support these idiots are.; Reply to this comment


by wfw3536 October 8, 2011 4:28 PM EDT: Holder should resign and there needs to be a criminal investigation. One of our ATF agents was killed and with 2000 guns out there more innocent folks will die as a result of this crazy plan. The details in these written messages to Holder are very clear. The head of the AZ ATF has already resigned. An independent council needs to be appointed by congress as a number of folks in this administration most likely will face criminal charges.; Reply to this comment


by Imthaid2 October 8, 2011 4:09 PM EDT: The idea behind the gun walking is to stir havoc in Mexico. This is just like what happened with the Iran/Iraq arms scandal. Give them weapons so they can kill each other off and do your dirty work for you. The ultimate goal is to work towards the new world order. Borders between Mexico, america and Canada will be eradicated. The mass murders you see are being enticed by our government to help create enough fear that the people on both sides will see our government as a hero by going into Mexico and taking a firm grip on the drug trade. We will essentially steal Mexico from the Mexican people so we gain the tactical advantage to the trillion dollar drug trade. Drugs are big business for the american government. The only things america has left to sell are drugs and war. This has turned into a very ugly country.; Reply to this comment


by Rick03466 October 8, 2011 3:56 PM EDT: Mr. Holder it is time to resign.; Reply to this comment


by newnameagain October 8, 2011 3:31 PM EDT: It would be nice to see holder and obozo as cellmates; Reply to this comment


by credibility2 October 8, 2011 3:27 PM EDT: Holder is doing his ole' tap dance routine again to deflect any criticism against the president.; Reply to this comment