Wednesday, June 20, 2012

President Obama Invokes Executive Privilege On Fast And Furious Program Documents

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Just as a House Committee is expected to vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress, President Barack Obama has asserted executive privilege over the documents sought by this group. NBC's Pete Williams reports.

Obama Invokes Privilege in Bid to Halt Contempt Vote -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Wednesday invoked executive privilege to withhold from a Congressional oversight committee some documents and communications among his advisers regarding the failed gun enforcement operation known as “Fast and Furious,” in which weapons purchased in the United States were allowed to cross into Mexico.

It was the first time since Mr. Obama took office that he has asserted the privilege, and it sharpened considerably the long-festering dispute between Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Representative Darrell Issa of California, the Republican chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The panel had been threatening to find Mr. Holder in contempt for refusing to hand over some documents.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama Invoking Executive Privilege On The 'fast And Furious' Program

Eric Holder claims executive privilege over Fast and Furious investigation - US politics live
-- The Guardian
Obama moves to withhold papers in Mexico arms probe -- AFP
Obama asserts executive privilege and backs Holder over Fast and Furious -- The Guardian
Fast and Furious scandal: Obama invokes executive privilege; House panel moves forward with Holder contempt vote -- Washington Post
Obama Asserts Executive Privilege as Committee Prepares to Vote Attorney General Holder in Contempt of Congress -- ABC News
White House asserts executive privilege over Fast and Furious documents -- CBS
Likelihood of contempt vote against Holder rises -- USA Today/AP
What happens if panel cites Holder for contempt? -- CNN
Obama invokes executive privilege to protect Eric Holder: Can he do that? -- Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor
Barack Obama once a harsh critic of executive privilege -- The Guardian
Executive privilege explained: What Obama's Fast and Furious document claim means -- FOX News

My Comment: For President Obama to invoke Executive Privilege on documents for a program that he has already mentioned that he was unaware of is .... very strange. What's my take .... I am wondering what they are protecting.

Update: The final comment should come from this family.

No comments: