Issa, Grassley blast Holder in letter after secret meeting with ATF’s Ken Melson

The Daily Caller ^ | 7/6/11 | Matthew Boyle

[Nachum]

Top Republican lawmakers have authored an explosive new letter containing details of secret testimony by acting ATF Director Kenneth Melson, which reveal for the first time the extent to which his agency was involved in an international gun selling scandal.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, California Republican, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican, fired off the letter to Attorney General Eric Holder Tuesday detailing what Melson told Congressional investigators in a secret July 4 testimony.

One key takeaway from the meeting was that Melson acknowledged to investigators that agents had witnessed transfers of weapons from straw purchasers to third parties without following the guns afterwards. Straw purchasers are people who could technically legally buy guns in the U.S. but their intent was to turn around and sell them to drug cartels in Mexico.

[Nachum]

“I don’t really see this going anywhere. “

Not yet. Not yet.

If there is enough smoke, the White House will be in a bit more danger here after the next election. IF the Republicans get a majority in both houses and they have real evidence of a coverup by the White House, we will see some very interesting things IMHO.

[Erik Latranyi]

And, voting for candidate just because they have an (R) by their name next November will be about as useful as a screen door on a submarine to combat communism in America.

Only a short-signted fool would believe that a RINO President would be just as evil.

[joe fonebone]

Issa has been building a case. He has been slow and careful, blocking all the exits first, and then moving in...the exits are closed, the ducks are in a row, and the door is about to be kicked down..if this is done correctly, fubo will be impeached, and the charges so airtight that even the commies in the senate will have no choice but to convict(if they prize their careers more than the president)....grab a bud and a bowl of popcorn, it is about to begin

[paulcissa]

That’s a good assessment. I suspect the pace at which this is developing is quite well throttled to become a significant campaign issue in the fall.

[Oceander]

I agree that Issa has been very methodical, and very strategic, about this matter.

[Travis McGee]

GunWalker = Watergate X IranContra.

But the MSM is hitting the snooze button.

It’s not a Republican scandal, so they don’t care.

[Travis McGee]

I agree. Well said. The game is indeed afoot.

[penelopesire]

Excellent points. I pray that Obama and his minions get caught red handed using the Chicago thug/nazi tactics that this administration is becoming famous for...not that the media has reported it mind you.

[Tex-Con-Man]

Don't forget, the MSM played a large role in hounding Weiner out of office...it is theoretically possible for them to become interested in this scandal. After all, it's about guns.

[Travis McGee]

One hopes.

[rdcbn]

Very good news. He knows the back story to this fiasco and where the incriminating documents are and how to look for them.

He can connect the dots between the gunrunning and gun control factions and tie in upper level people like Janet Napolitano and Holder.

Most important - he has documented how much obstruction of justice has occurred and who did it. When Issa flat comes out and states that there has been obstruction of justice it's a big thing and people now may wish to turning states evidence in return for immunity

The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats have been arrogant and sloppy since 2009. They figured that they would control Congress for the next 20 years and would never have to face any investigations

[az_gila]

Don't forget, the MSM played a large role in hounding Weiner out of office...it is theoretically possible for them to become interested in this scandal. After all, it's about guns.

---

But that was a sex scandal - sex on the front page sells more newspapers.

A sex anngle needs to be added...:^)

[Mad Dawgg]

If Holder knew then his Boss knew...

Someone is gonna be burnt at the stake for this one.

And it ain't gonna be Barry Hussein.

My Prediction: "Mr. Holder is gonna be taking a trip soon, climb aboard the Obama Express Eric! Next stop... "Under the Bus"

[Tex-Con-Man]

But that was a sex scandal - sex on the front page sells more newspapers.
A sex angle needs to be added...:^)

According to the left, guns are inadequate penile compensators. Sooooo......

[cpdiii]

Sounds like Melson is about to go off the Obama reservation in a big way. This is good news. ??? Any thoughts?

He has refused to fall on his sword for Holder and Obama. This story has legs.

The real question I think is, "Will Holder fall on his Sword for Obama?" I do not think he will. He has always impressed me as a gutless bully. That kind of man will turn on his master to survive.

[cpdiii]

Another point Melson clarified for investigators was that the ATF group carrying out the mission of Operation Fast and Furious was placed under the direction of the Arizona U.S. Attorney’s office. The U.S. Attorney in Arizona, Dennis Burke, is a political appointee of the Obama administration. The direction to place this operation under the US attorney and not the BATF would have come from Holder.

Holder has a problem. The US Attorney reports to Holder. That US attorny did not dream up this game. Holder had to be in the loop and thus probably Obama.

[Munz]

>Holder should be extradicted to Mexico to stand trial.<

Holder would never have authorized this without knowledge of the Secretary of state or the pResident.
It involved sending guns to narco terrorists in a foreign country.

I doubt that Hillary is going to fall on the sword for Obama.

Holder should go to mexico I agree, but he shouldn’t be going alone.

[Munz]

>What did Obama know, and when did he know it?<

considering it was his idea ......

[Munz]

>“Oh No! A letter. I bet they are terrified.”

But I’m sure it was a harshly worded letter! (Actually, from the article, it wasn’t even that.)<

here s the letter.

http://oversight.house.gov/images/stories/Letters/2011-07-05%20ceg-dei%20to%20ag.pdf

[Munz]

>Sounds like Melson is about to go off the Obama reservation in a big way. This is good news. ??? Any thoughts?<

he already did. This is BIG. Bigger than watergate or any gate we have ever seen in history.
Someone is going to jail and he is making sure it isn’t him.

Obama and Holder are toast. Maybe take Nipolotano along for the ride as well. Not to mention the FBI just got dragged into this by their short hairs.