{"id":2044,"date":"2012-01-13T13:49:35","date_gmt":"2012-01-13T18:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/faithandjustice\/?p=2044"},"modified":"2012-01-13T11:27:29","modified_gmt":"2012-01-13T16:27:29","slug":"jay-sekulow-congress-seeking-more-info-from-ag-holder-on-fast-furious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2012\/01\/jay-sekulow-congress-seeking-more-info-from-ag-holder-on-fast-furious.html","title":{"rendered":"Jay Sekulow: Congress Seeking More Info From AG Holder on Fast & Furious"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Congress is once again focusing on the Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice concerning a scandal that is only likely to grow in scope.<\/p>\n

As you may recall, Congress has been trying to get to the bottom of what happened with Operation Fast & Furious, the deadly gun-walking program – weapons that ended up in the hands of drug smugglers in Mexico – that took the life of a U.S. border patrol agent.<\/p>\n

There have been numerous hearings, but the last time Attorney General Holder appeared before Congress – on December 8th before the House Judiciary Committee –\u00a0Holder refused to take responsibility for this tragedy<\/a> and even accused his critics of playing politics with this issue.<\/p>\n

Now, a new request from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.<\/p>\n

“The Department of Justice\u2019s conduct in the investigation of Operation Fast and Furious has been nothing short of shameful,” Rep. Issa said in a statement<\/a>. “From its initial denials that nothing improper occurred, to efforts to silence whistleblowers who wanted to tell Congress what really happened, to its continuing refusal to discuss or share documents related to this cover-up, the Justice Department has fought tooth and nail to hide the full truth about what occurred and what senior officials knew.”<\/p>\n

The hearing is set for February 2nd<\/a> and while Holder has agreed to appear, the DOJ seems to suggest this new testimony is redundant. “It is difficult to see how the American people will be well served by yet another congressional hearing on this subject . . .” Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote in a letter to Rep. Issa.<\/a><\/p>\n

The truth is that the American people will be well served if the Attorney General comes clean, and as the nation’s top law enforcement officer, takes responsibility for this debacle.<\/p>\n

With 62 Congressman and two Senators calling for the ouster of Holder<\/a>, the Attorney General should use this new opportunity to tell what he knows – to address this scandal fully and accept responsibility.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One issue that’s likely to be front-and-center at this hearing in February, is a letter sent to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) – a letter that the DOJ has withdrawn because it contained false information denying accusations made by whistle-blowers about Operation Fast & Furious. According to reports<\/a>, an investigation by Rep. Issa’s committee has uncovered documentation that many inside the DOJ knew the letter to Congress contained false information both before it was sent and later withdrawn.<\/p>\n

And Congress could be poised to take further action if Holder is not forthcoming this time. During December’s hearing, there were suggestions that Rep. Issa may move forward with contempt of Congress proceedings<\/a> against Holder if he doesn’t produce relevant subpoenaed documents.<\/p>\n

This is not the first time serious questions have been raised about how the DOJ handles information – what it chooses to release and what documents it withholds. You may recall that just a couple of months ago<\/a>, I told you that the Justice Department wanted to put in place a new procedure that permitted officials to actually lie when responding to requests for sensitive documents from the public involving the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). That’s right, the DOJ proposed a rule that would make it okay to lie and say that a document did not exist – even if it did. Thankfully, a tremendous outcry ensued forcing the DOJ to drop the proposed measure.<\/p>\n

This upcoming hearing on Operation Fast & Furious is likely to produce some fireworks, once again. The questioning is sure to be determined and direct, as it should. In fact, one of Holder’s top assistants is already expressing concern about how the hearing will unfold.<\/p>\n

“It is our sincere hope that the questioning during this hearing before your committee be conducted in a professional manner,” Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote<\/a> to Rep. Issa. “The Attorney General has demonstrated great restraint in responding to some questioning in other committees that has, at times, been disrespectful and unproductive. The American people are entitled to a more thoughtful and reasoned dialogue on these critical issues. . .”<\/p>\n

What the American people are entitled to, quite frankly, is an Attorney General who tells the truth – the complete story about Operation Fast & Furious.<\/p>\n

The DOJ and Attorney General Holder should worry less about the tone of the upcoming hearing and focus more on providing substantial and truthful testimony.<\/p>\n

Jay Sekulow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories. In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb\u2019s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks. Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation. Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ\u2019s weekly television program. Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles. Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of \u201cThe 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years\u201d and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \u201c100 Most Influential Lawyers\u201d in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America. Jay Sekulow\u2019s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, \"Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda.\" Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea. Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor\u2019s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C. Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video. Jay Sekulow on Facebook. Jay Sekulow on Twitter. Jay Sekulow on YouTube.","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/author\/jay_sekulow"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2044"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2053,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044\/revisions\/2053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}