DOJ Halts Operation Chokepoint, Which Targeted Firearm Dealers

The Daily Caller ^ | 08/18/17 | Kerry Picket

[Enlightened1]

 

The Department of Justice has ended its Obama-era Operation Chokepoint initiative, which aimed to block some businesses, including firearm dealers and payday lenders, from having access to bank loans.

The department made the revelation in response to an inquiry from House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte Thursday.

In a letter to Goodlatte and ranking committee member John Conyers, Assistant Attorney General Stephen F. Boyd wrote that DOJ considers Operation Chokepoint a “misguided initiative conducted during the previous administration.”

The news was first reported by Politico.

“We share your view that law abiding businesses should not be targeted simply for operating in an industry that a particular administration might disfavor,” Boyd wrote. “Enforcement decisions should always be made be based on facts and the applicable law.”

Operation Chokepoint was started in 2013 and involved the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) targeting certain “elevated risk” businesses.

“The FDIC subsequently rescinded its list of purportedly ‘high risk’ merchants. The Department of Justice (Department) strongly agrees with that withdrawal,” Boyd wrote. “All of the Department’s bank investigations conducted as part of Operation Chokepoint are now over. The initiative is no longer in effect, and it will not be undertaken again.”

Boyd did note that some of the responses to the subpoenas did lead to discovery of other criminal activity involving particular individuals and non-bank activities.

“To the extent the Department continues to pursue those ancillary investigations, none relates to or seeks to deter lawful conduct,” Boyd stated.

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action applauded the Justice Department’s decision to cease the Obama era initiative.

[Vlad The Inhaler]

And it only took 7 months.....

/s

[farming pharmer]

And it only took 7 months..... /s

My thoughts exectly. This should have been stopped in the first week of the new administration. Why does stopping the O'tardism take so long?

[Sasparilla]

...Why does stopping the O’tardism take so long?...

Could be because of the massive amount of Obama malfeasance and damage done in his 8 year reign of terror.

[EagleUSA]

Well, at least it got done. Removing Obama’s deliberate use of the government against the people (some weakly call it ‘overreach’) —— communist bastard...tool of the radical DemocRATS.

Keep fixing America and protect its Constitution.

[GOPJ]

The Justice Department and FBI were used to 'protect' delusions and political hunger of white liberal elites... NOT TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS.

I'm shocked I tell you... shocked.

[trebb]

Probably took that long to get all the salient info from some of the entrenched ones. While it needed to be done, it is also prudent to insure one isn’t stepping in it and you can be sure there were many convolutions that had to be untangled. Obvious they also weren’t going to prosecute anyone w/o doing same untangling so I’m just happy it happened.

[gibsonguy]

+1

[VanDeKoik]

“My thoughts exectly. This should have been stopped in the first week of the new administration.”

Well good for you.

Be happy that it is gone and stop whining.

[yoe]

“The federal government should not be allowed to pick winners and losers in the marketplace,” concluded Cox. “This announcement is the latest in a long line of Trump administration successes in rolling back the failed policies of the Obama administration.”

(Shouldn't this also apply) to Sheriff Joe Arpaio also....he was doing his job according to AZ law...Obama and Holder decided they were the law and harassed the Sheriff, the Federals were NOT doing their sworn job....Clinton appointed Susan Ritchie Bolton let politics sway her.

President Trump, please pardon this non-politically correct and out standing American.

[donozark]

Helps that we have a President and VP who are NRA members. That alone has gotta roast liberal chestnuts!

[grania]

and it only took seven months...

First of all, it isn't seven months. How long did it take to get AG Sessions confirmed? Then he had to find his way around the department and get rid of never-Trumpers. Then, first prioritiy, get criminal invaders out of the US and do a better job of keeping invaders out. And how about that he's clamping down on Sanctuary Cities?

AG Sessions is careful and methodical about the law. He now has gotten to abuse of the banking system. Mygosh, this is a real long list in less than seven months after being confirmed!

[Georgia Girl 2]

You beat me to it. ::)

[Ancesthntr]

“Operation Chokepoint was started in 2013
.”

---

It took those bastards 4 years to start it up. Given that Sessions first had to get approved by the Senate, and that there have been a whole bunch of other priorities more important than this, I’d say getting rid of it in 7 months isn’t all that bad. Compare and contrast the fact that it would never have disappeared under Hillary, and would probably have been intensified, or that under some RINO President it would have taken years to get rid of it (if at all), and I’ll take what we have with no complaint.

[Pearls Before Swine]

I’m glad this is being lifted. But, I have to comment that harrassing businesses through restriction of banking services isn’t unique to gun dealers. There’s other businesses the Feds don’t like.

The Feds already run a permanent chokehold operation on pot businesses. Banks, especially if they have a Federal charter, are afraid to take money from medical MJ businesses, I’ve read. I wouldn’t be surprised if recreational MJ businesses get treated the same way.

[Tammy8]

That is likely due to the fact that by federal law marijuana is illegal everywhere including states that have legalized it.

I have actually wondered why there seems to be no movement to legalize marijuana at the federal level.