Issa Statement on DOJ IG’s Findings of Widespread Failures by Senior DOJ Officials in Operation Fast and Furious

WASHINGTON – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, issued the following statement on Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s findings of widespread failures by both senior DOJ and ATF leaders in both Operation Fast and Furious and the Department of Justice’s false denials of reckless conduct to Congress.  Issa and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have led the Congressional investigation into Operation Fast and Furious following Justice Department denials of reckless conduct that were later retracted.  Guns from the reckless program contributed to the deaths of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and an unknown number of Mexican citizens.  It also created an ongoing public safety hazard on both sides of the border.

The Inspector General has indicated he will continue his investigation of matters related to Operation Fast and Furious, including retaliation against whistleblowers and an effort to have the Justice Department unseal wiretap applications sealed by courts that were approved by senior officials.  The Congressional investigation will also continue to seek documents wrongfully withheld from Congress.

Inspector General Horowitz will testify on the findings of his investigation before the Oversight Committee tomorrow at 9:30 AM in 2157 Rayburn House Office building.  The webcast of the hearing can be found here once the hearing begins.

The IG report’s conclusions fully support and expand the earlier findings by Congressional investigators of failures throughout the Department of Justice and ATF: