Posted on 07/24/2015 9:22:14 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
July 23, 2015
The Obama administration formally announced that inspectors general will have to get permission from their agency heads to gain access to grand jury, wiretap and fair credit information an action that severely limits the watchdogs oversight capabilities, independence and power to uncover fraud.
An opinion, issued by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, says the Inspector General Act of 1978 which was written by Congress to create the government watchdogs in order to help maintain integrity within their agencies does not have the authority to override nondisclosure provisions in other laws, most notably in regard to grand jury, wiretap or fair credit information.
(Excerpt) Read more at nation.foxnews.com ...
You’d think it would be obvious not to let the party being investigated limit the investigation. Is McCain running interference on this, too?
Except, that is, if they get permission from Obama political appointees, who apparently do have the authority to override nondisclosure provisions. So the IG's can continue to make "independent" investigations, provided that they are approved by Obama political operatives.
So in fact, for the target of an Obama-desired investigation, nothing has changed. The only thing that has changed is that the administration now asserts a veto power over any investigation it dislikes.
Am I leaving anything out?
I suppose the question that needs to be asked at the next White House presser is where in the statute do the Obamites find authority for political appointees to make this decision? My naïve layman's understanding was that the IG statute was designed specifically to keep this kind of power OUT of the hands of the politicos. Not that career bureaucrats are beyond reproach, but at least they are not institutionally hotwired to the party in power.
In 1978, the post-Watergate Congress was two-thirds Democratic in both the House and Senate. Those Dems were pretty radical in their day. In passing this kind of legislation, they had Richard Milhous in mind. I wonder if any of our media superstars will raise a question about administratively dismantling a core post-Watergate reform?
Sure would be interesting to see WHO in the DOJ was tasked with writing this report overturning a Carter-era directive. And, perhaps more interesting, which Department/Agency head(s) is/are facing serious IG investigation(s).
Why wait? He can do this at any time, so you will see him doing it for the lesser lights probably as a "Christmas Present" this Christmas and the big hitters after the election in '16! MSM will gripe a bit, yawn, then go back to sleep at a DEMOCRAT Presidential Abuser.
By 2025, if the country still exists, the pundits will be writing paens to the virtuous and vigorous Obama Era!
Oh Gee Willy-ache-ers ! Does that mean they won’t be investigating practices of the Hill-&-Billy candidate for POTUS they just announced she participated in while Secret-ary of State ? s/
They're trying to run out the clock by going into the four corners offense in the 3rd quarter. With today's Supreme Court there is no shot clock.
The list, Ping
Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list
If Obama wants to give amnesty to prisoners he can’t have grand jury testimony and wiretaps (graphic content that was not allowed at trial) coming to light.
Hitlery’s email and server.
Danny Kaye comes to mind...
Most likely this is simply a coincidence with respect to the two inspectors general who just announced that they are seeking a criminal investigation of Hillary by the DOJ.
Exactly. Pure coincidence.. And a Friday dump eligible item in our massive load of patootie coming put of DC .. The EPA should get involved. Keep em busy for years.
Controling the investigators. No, you can’t look at that. Do the left even understand what is going on. This thing will eat them up one day along with the right.
It's a birthday present for Hillary. Thanks NormsRevenge.
More of that damned “transparency” Obama and Pelosi promised for this regime. Unless we are “Superman” with X-ray vision, I still don’t see a thing that is hidden in each deal and act of treason coming out of the Red House.
#2. I’ll see you one “None dare call it criminal” and raise you one “None Dare Call It Treason”.
By Jove, I think we’ve got it!
I don’t doubt that Hillary didn’t know what she was emailing was classified. I don’t think she’s smart enough to know what should be classified and what shouldn’t.
BUMP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.