Holder contempt hearing proceeds despite executive privilege claim

http://twitter.com/#!/danielwein/status/215450039676436480

As Twitchy reported this morning, the most transparent administration ever has asserted executive privilege regarding Operation Fast and Furious documents prior to the contempt hearing scheduled for 10 a.m.

The hearing will proceed as scheduled.

RT @DrewMTips: Shorter Issa: Yeah, screw this Exec Privilege nonsense, we're moving forward.

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

Holder is trying to bravely run away.

@michellemalkin more than that. Holder also said he would not cooperate further if they held him in contempt – http://t.co/oD1aRYCc

— Right Scoop (@trscoop) June 20, 2012

Holder: "America is a nation of cowards." *hides under Obama's skirt*

— Cuffé (@CuffyMeh) June 20, 2012

Twitchy will continuously monitor the hearing and update live. In the meantime, here is the resolution being considered.

https://twitter.com/llondo/status/215455490690383873

Update:

Rep. Cummings continues his water-carrying tool status.

Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings: "Attorney General came to us last night in good faith." Tool. The tool-age. It burns. #fastandfurious

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

Earlier this morning, he whined to CNN’s Soledad O’Brien. CNN framed it as the congressman “opening up” about mean old Republicans. Hello, lapdog media!

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) opens up to CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien about Attorney General Eric Holder and the Fast & Furious program on Starting Point.

When O’Brien asks how likely a contempt hearing will be if Holder does not present requested documents by 10am ET, Rep. Cummings says, “That’s quite likely, and I expect that it will come to a vote. I expect that it will be a vote on party lines…. And I still believe that this is an effort to try to embarrass the President.”

No, Mr. Cummings. It is an effort at finding the truth. And justice for those killed.

The WH claim of executive privilege on Fast and Furious covers communications that Holder and the WH had denied even exist. Someone lied.

— Ken Gardner (@kesgardner) June 20, 2012

Good point by @baseballcrank. If Holder is truthful that F&F was a low level operation, why the need for executive privilege?

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) June 20, 2012

Pretty amazing how Obama will go nuclear with executive privilege to protect what Holder claims to be just low-level staffers. #Fishy

— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) June 20, 2012

@BretBaier of @FoxNews asks "How can Eric Holder claim 'Executive Privilege' over documents the President has never seen?" #fastandfurious

— mark wonderful (@markwonderful) June 20, 2012

Huh. Curious that!

.@CongressmanMica now describing why Holder must be held in contempt. Notes all the time Holder has had to comply. #Sayfie #FastandFurious

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) June 20, 2012

Dems at #fastandfurious hearing "Just give Holder more time!!"

— Missy Ham (@Anthillgoddess) June 20, 2012

@kirstenpowers10 Eric Holder had 8 months to supply the documents. This is a massive cover up bigger than Watergate now.

— Micky Baker (@MickyBaker1) June 20, 2012

Stompy foot tantrum.

McCarthy adds that she's "offended" that Issa would call Holder a liar, says panel has "degenerated" to personal attacks. #fastandfurious

— Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) June 20, 2012

Democrats are missing a moral compass, yet again.

RT @JoeKenHa: The Democrats on this committee are soulless. They don't care about the hundreds of families & lives destroyed by Eric Holder.

— robert (@ProgressiveAle) June 20, 2012

If I hear one more Democrat say they are "offended" "disturbed" or "concerned" regarding contempt for Holder I will scream #fastandfurious

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Disgusting House dems would rather protect Holder (& Obama) than solve a murder of a US agent. Forget the facts. #fastandfurious

— John Richards (@John__Richards) June 20, 2012

Republicans, like Rep. Jason Chaffetz, are rightfully hammering Holder.

"If @TheJusticeDept wanted to move on, they'd turn over the documents" – @RepConnieMack at http://t.co/X1snfrGH #FastAndFurious

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

Great job @GOPoversight holding #EricHolder accountable #truth #tcot

— Vadim Y. Bichutskiy (@vybstat) June 20, 2012

"I hope we have the guts to get to the bottom of this…so we can FIX THIS." – @JasonInTheHouse at http://t.co/qtjUlctF

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

GOP up-and-comer = @jasoninthehouse "Show the guts needed to actually pass this and move it to the floor for further debate" #FastandFurious

— Bridget Johnson (@Bridget_PJM) June 20, 2012

More Chaffetz, please.

Speaker Boehner’s office weighs in.

RT @ZekeJMiller: Boehner spox re WH involvement in F&F: "Were they lying, or are they now bending the law to hide the truth?”

— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) June 20, 2012

Good question for Holder cheerleader Rep. Mahoney.

@RepMaloney ExecutivePrivilege applies ONLY if Obama was involved, which Holder denies. Was Holder lying THEN or is he lying NOW?

— Isabelle H-Gustafson (@izzysroses) June 20, 2012

Boom from Connie Mack.

"If @TheJusticeDept wanted to move on, they'd turn over the documents" – @RepConnieMack at http://t.co/X1snfrGH #FastAndFurious

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

Border patrol agents are also calling for Holder to resign.

As they should, Border Patrol group calls for Holder’s resignation http://t.co/ahYdzfCR

— Carie' Cato (@Tigersfan24) June 20, 2012

Democrat Rep. Ed Towns also snuggling up to Holder at the expense of truth and justice.

Does Rep @EdTowns have #latinos in his district? Maybe they should know he thinks respecting Holder is more important than dead #hispanics

— Melvin Udall (@Melvin_Udall_) June 20, 2012

Citizens are already holding Holder in contempt.

I don't need a hearing to hold Holder in Contempt. #RememberBrianTerry

— JR Holden (@jrholdenOK) June 20, 2012

This. RT @tnacgal: Dear Liberal Congress: support Holder at your own peril! (see 2010 & Obamacare for clarity)

— BriGuy's Gal (@iteabellsingers) June 20, 2012

More Republicans are finally fighting like girls and demanding accountability and truth.

"We owe it to the people of the country to get to the bottom of this." – @RepConnieMack at http://t.co/X1snfrGH

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

Yes. And to Brian Terry and his grieving family.

.@RepWalberg on fire at http://t.co/3XfUts68

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

Indeed.

Rep Tim Walberg says he will vote "contempt" to the AJ Eric Holder in not revealing the Fast n Furious data. Wow!

— Eric Bailey (@CulturalRights) June 20, 2012

@marychastain Rep. Tim Walberg mentioning Brian Terry at Holder Contempt hearing…finally!

— Matt Vespa (@mVespa1) June 20, 2012

Rep. Tim Walberg ( R-MI ) and Rep. Connie Mach ( R-FL ) make clear case for contempt charges against AG Holder.

— WhatHappenedToHope (@AllOutOfHope) June 20, 2012

We DO know #Holder should be held in contempt! ”We don’t know what we don’t know”- Rep Walberg #evolving #fastandfurious

— Right In America (@RightInAmerica1) June 20, 2012

A good question: Absolute incompetence or something worse?

https://twitter.com/MorningVent/status/215467489063206915

Perhaps there is more in the documents that they are desperately trying to hide?

Sen @ChuckGrassley: "How can the President assert executive privilege if there was no White House involvement?" #FastandFurious

— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) June 20, 2012

Huh. Strange, that.

Contrary to Rep. Cummings’s ludicrous assertion, this is not about politics.

@guypbenson Thank you for saying that, Guy. I have steam coming out of my ears right now over the partisan hackery.

— Teri Christoph (@TeriChristoph) June 20, 2012

Reminder: At LEAST 3 White House National Security Advisers were getting emails about #fastandfurious Obama's MurderGate

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Rep. Tierney (D-Mass.) continues his record of idiocy.

https://twitter.com/NancyGilly/status/215468546128486400

Rep Tierney wants to get back to what their purpose was in this hearing & give Holder more time. Holder is the reason purpose is twisted!

— Kerri Hudson Smith (@1972patriot) June 20, 2012

A grave photo.

History in the making #fastandfurious pic.twitter.com/Bq6Gbgwh

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

FLASHBACK. Obama owns this.

.@BarackObama on Oct 7, 2011: "I Have Complete Confidence in AG #Holder" VIDEO: http://t.co/74NelAQX #fastandfurious

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

Update:

Holder retracts a previous claim (lie).

RT @ByronYork: Issa: Holder now retracts claim that AG predecessor, Michael Mukasey, knew about F&F-like program.

— One of Many Patriots (@genjunky) June 20, 2012

Katie Pavlich gets to the heart of the matter, as always.

Wonder why I titled my book BARACK OBAMA's deadliest scandal? Because it IS. Executive privilege invoked. #fastandfurious #murdergate

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Rep. Buerkle is kicking arse, fighting like a girl.

Buerkle notes folks in her Syracuse-area district ask often about #fastandfurious. She's correct: I saw it myself @ 1 of her town halls.

— Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) June 20, 2012

Rep Ann Marie Buerkle from NY is spot on.

— Danielle (@DmarieMcD) June 20, 2012

#fastandfurious #ExecutivePrivilege -Rep. Ann Buerkle says trying to invoke executive privilege is "sickening."

— LoneStar (@Lonestar357) June 20, 2012

Rep. Buerkle (NY) says that Holder has been callous towards the family of Brian Terry. Says he's been stonewalling. #fastandfurious

— talkradio200 (@talkradio200) June 20, 2012

BRAVO Thank you Rep Buerkle NY for once again reminding the committee abt the reason why you are there- #BrianTerry #FastandFurious

— MaryK (@Mkber5) June 20, 2012

RT @secupp Rep Buerkle: "Brian Terry has been dead for over 500 days, and still no one has been held accountable." #RememberBrianTerry

— Tina Smyth (@Baltotrav) June 20, 2012

LEADERS MUST LEAD. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE for the murder of a border control agent?—Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle #LNYHBT @JohnBoehner #FastandFurious

— Tallu (@TallulahStarr) June 20, 2012

Rep. Buerkle is a leader.

Twitter users demand more accountability than the incompetent and, frankly, corrupt Democrats who have been elected to represent the people.

And here we go, Dem now inserting assault weapons ban into discussion, #fastandfurious

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Obama's Watergate? No. Watergate didn't have a body count. #FastAndFurious

— jon gabriel (@exjon) June 20, 2012

Another picture of history in the making.

The scene in @GOPoversight PIC: http://t.co/wxmVoLhO

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

Executive privilege assertion continues to backfire.

RT @ChadPergram: Rep. Dennis #Kucinich (D-OH: The question of #executiveprivilege has taken this into a whole new realm #FastandFurious

— Ellen Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) June 20, 2012

That doesn’t stop other Democrats from continuing to be shameless and shameful.

Dear Democrats, you're embarrassing yourselves right now by defending Holder and blaming Bush #rememberbrianterry

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Democrat Rep. Lynch is particularly disgusting. He is more concerned about “disgrace to Holder” than, you know, people dying.

He then tried to blame Bush. Surprise, surprise!

Rep. Stephen Lynch making remarks that are erroneous because it turns out Eric Holder was not telling the truth about ex AG Mulkasy @cspanwj

— Jim Hines® (@HinesJimmy) June 20, 2012

Dear Rep. Lynch: Did Brian Terry die under Michael Mukasey or Eric Holder?

— drew (@FigDrewton) June 20, 2012

.@KatiePavlich Dear Rep Lynch, not-to-worry, disclosing Holder's record will more than disgrace the man. Nothing else need be added.

— Bill Moody (@WRogersM) June 20, 2012

Rep Stephen Lynch D-MA says #FASTandFURIOUS is "media seeking proces," suggests #GOP is ignoring facts so they can take down #AG #Holder

— Dixie Journal (@DixieJournal) June 20, 2012

You are reprehensible, Rep. Lynch.

Rep. Jim Jordan taking names!

Rep @Jim_Jordan pointing out that either Holder told truth about not discussing #fastandfurious with Obama, or Obama is stonewalling for DOJ

— Jessica Seale (@JessaNaomi) June 20, 2012

"we just want the documents that were requested 8 months ago…and today we get executive privilege asserted by @WhiteHouse" – @Jim_Jordan

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

BOOM! There is is! MT @greybeard411 YES! REP. Jordan brings it up. How is there EP when Holder has said there was no communication with WH

— Michelle Clifton (@MichelleClifton) June 20, 2012

Rep Jordan:"How is there EP when Holder said there was no communication w/ WH Someone's Still lying" #fastandfurious #obama2012 #barackobama

— dr maxcua tpty (@MaxCUA) June 20, 2012

Republican Rep. DesJarlais also cutting right to the chase.

Kudos to Scott DesJarlais @DesJarlaisTN04 cutting to chase. What about the slain? Obama admin is running out the clock. #p2 #fastandfurious

— Melvin Udall (@Melvin_Udall_) June 20, 2012

He also slams down Rep. Lynch’s contemptible assertions.

"I don't think Agent Terry's family cares that it's an election year…" Rep. DesJarlais (R-TN) #FastAndFurious

— Peter C. (@pcarenza) June 20, 2012

Rep. Scott Desjarlais (R-La.) says accusations that this is an election-year gimmick unfair to Brian Terry's family. #fastandfurious

— Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) June 20, 2012

Democrat Rep. Welch tries to steal Lynch’s revolting thunder.

"I don't feel like we really need to do this today" ~ Peter Welch, Dem Rep from VT. OK, let's reward months of footdragging! #fastandfurious

— Sarah Rumpf (@rumpfshaker) June 20, 2012

Oh, really? No big whoop, move along. Except, you know, the lies keep coming.

@gabrielmalor All of these retractions are occurring after he gets caught. At some point it can no longer be considered an innocent mistake.

— AG (@AG_Conservative) June 20, 2012

Trey Gowdy (R-SC) on the warpath! Hammering Holder and the administration hard. Rightfully so.

Top @TheJusticeDept officials knew about #fastandfurious long before Brian Terry was murdered – @TGowdySC at http://t.co/qtjUlctF

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

"He's either part of it or he's not." – Gowdy on Obama #fastandfurious

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) June 20, 2012

"if congress has time to look into major league baseball, the BCS & invite Stephen Colbert," they have time for this! ~ SC Rep Trey Gowdy

— Sarah Rumpf (@rumpfshaker) June 20, 2012

Gowdy is ON FIRE. #FastandFurious

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) June 20, 2012

Oooh Rep Trey Gowdy on fire! Says Senior members of DOJ in Washington knew about gunwalking before Brian Terry was murdered. #fastandfurious

— Nice Deb (@NiceDeb) June 20, 2012

Rep GOWDY delivers BOMBSHELL!!! President is either Guilty of knowledge of #FastandFurious or he must withdraw Exec Order. SOMEONE LIED!

— O's Bloody Hands (@notalemming) June 20, 2012

This is why he's called Trey "Rowdy" Gowdy #ThatMayNotBeTrue #HolderHearing

— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) June 20, 2012

Kudos, Rep. Gowdy!

And still more questions about the invoking of executive privilege.

Fmr DOJ Counsel: SCOTUS "held that executive privilege cannot be invoked…if the purpose is to shield wrongdoing." http://t.co/9od1LN4c

— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) June 20, 2012

Judge Nap: Executive Priv. only applies if Obama personally involved http://t.co/DKEvuvZq Barack Obama's Bloodiest Scandal #fastandfurious

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

This isn't partisan. I'm positive no one is checking voter ID cards before taking lives and committing crimes w/ #FastandFurious guns.

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) June 20, 2012

He can't have it both ways. RT @DLoesch: "He's either part of it or he's not." – Gowdy on Obama #fastandfurious

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) June 20, 2012

Rep. Jason Chaffetz not done taking names.

.@Jasoninthehouse calls out @RepSpeier: "if you're so interested in not seeing this happen again, don't you want to see the documents?"

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) says he now calls for Holder's resignation. Says the AG misled Congress.

— Jill Jackson (@jacksonjk) June 20, 2012

Mr. Farenthold, "…Culture of stonewalling has got to stop." #Holder #Obama #FastAndFurious #Truth

— LittleMargaretNan (@LitMargaretNan) June 20, 2012

Update: Voting to begin shortly.

Votes coming in 20 minutes

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

RT @BobJennings10: @RepAlanNunnelee @DarrellIssa Holder is in contempt it is our Constitutional right to know the truth.

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

UPDATE: Oversight Committee will reconvene shortly at http://t.co/X1snfrGH for #EricHolder #Contempt votes #fastandfurious

— GOP Oversight (@GOPoversight) June 20, 2012

Oh, good grief!

Rep. Welch offers an amendment to postpone contempt and investigate Bush administration #fastandfurious

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Rep. Welch amendment: Calls on committee to postpone contempt vote til probe is done into Bush admin gunwalking operation #fastandfurious

— Bridget Johnson (@Bridget_PJM) June 20, 2012

I have been in this hearing room for FIVE HOURS, after reporting #fastandfurious for more than a year, VOTE ALREADY

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

Yes, please.

Rep. Maloney’s looking a bit worn-out as well.

Whoa! Rep. Maloney, you just wake up from a nap or something? #brush #hairspray #fastandfurious

— Ryan Parker (@drparker37) June 20, 2012

Geez, did Maloney just roll out of bed? #FastandFurious #RememberBrianTerry

— Gary Eaton (@garysteveneaton) June 20, 2012

Whoa!!!!!! Check out that hair-don't!!! #FastandFurious

— Jon McC (@fatdaddybulldog) June 20, 2012

Maloney, who was whining earlier about how this investigation is, like, so unfair to Holder, whined again:

https://twitter.com/Nate_Norris/status/215520831613304835

Well,

AG Holder wouldn't have needed to be called before congress 9 times if he provided the documents on the first or 2nd visits.

— Palmer (@Jonijam) June 20, 2012

So there’s that to keep in mind.

Patience update:

YES YES YES. RT @marychastain: Quit stalling Democrats. Let's vote. #fastandfurious

— Leah (@oooitsleah) June 20, 2012

Dem. Rep. Welch's Blame Bush amendment to postpone contempt motion goes down in flames. #fastandfurious

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

Rep. Issa just announced that there are three remaining amendments up for discussion before the contempt vote takes place.

Next up on the docket? A proposed amendment from Democratic Rep. Lynch of Massachusetts:

Oh, Lord. Dem Rep. Stephen Lynch of MA offering whiny amndt on how much spent on #fastandfurious probe. Blame the stonewallers, tool.

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

Dem Rep Lynch proposes amendment that the Oversight Comm provide cost of the investigation, says impt for voters to have #fastandfurious

— Deirdre Walsh (@deirdrewalshcnn) June 20, 2012

Dem. Lynch moaning about "Olympic" investigation. That's becuz GOP wrestling w/Herculean stonewallers. #fastandfurious

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

Hey Lynch…. we'd rather spend our money on this investigation than on Obama's fancy vacations #FastAndFurious

— Color Me Red ن (@ColorMeRed) June 20, 2012

Rep. Lankford has a few words for Lynch:

Excellent Rep Lankford says u can't put a price on Brian Terry's life. Asks how much it cost to prosecute Roger Clemens. #FastandFurious

— Diane Korzeniewski (@TeDeumBlog) June 20, 2012

Bam.

"Brian Terry's family deserves every penny we have spent" investigating #FastAndFurious@DarrellIssa at http://t.co/qtjUlctF

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

Double-bam.

Lynch is shamelessly denying any wrongdoing by Holder.

It's time to hold Rep. Lynch in contempt. #FastandFurious

— Paul J Elliott (@PaulJElliott) June 20, 2012

Lynch shouting at @jasoninthehouse over wiretaps. Lynch claims he has seen ALL the #fastandfurious docs.

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

"You continue to act in ignorance" Rep Chaffetz to Rep Lynch True dat! #FastAndFurious #HolderGate

— Determined 2 Be Free (@LetUsPrayAtSix) June 20, 2012

Chaffetz brings down the house again. We can't know that Holder did nothing wrong b/c he won't turn over the docs!

— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) June 20, 2012

Rep. Cummings: Obstruction? Pffft! What obstruction?

Cummings is pontificating abt how much he cares abt Brian Terry…and how Holder has nothing to hide. DC is a magnet for sociopaths. #tcot

— Get off my lawn. (@javaguysammckee) June 20, 2012

https://twitter.com/LHayes67/status/215527299498512384

Looks like the Lynch amendment is on the back burner:

vote on @RepStephenLynch #fastandfurious amendment rolled until the end: http://t.co/CdBszf1r

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 20, 2012

How about a vote on Holder, guys?

Blahblahblah vote already. #fastandfurious

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) June 20, 2012

Nope.

More amendments to stall vote on #Holder being in Contempt of Congress. This one from Rep. Maloney (D) NY. #FastAndFurious

— Mike Shaw (@MikeShawTV) June 20, 2012

Rep Maloney: Sure we're upset about Brian Terry and stuff, but this whole investigation is just outrageous and Bush.

— Heather (@hmfearny) June 20, 2012

The "narrative of the contempt citation." That's what Maloney doesn't like about this case.

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) June 20, 2012

What does anything Maloney is saying have to do with getting documents turned over? #fastandfurious

— EricD (@TheMotleyMind) June 20, 2012

Maloney: “This investigation has degenerated into a purely political exercise to tarnish the reputation of the attorney general and the president in an election year.” And then she quoted Juan Williams. No, seriously. That just happened.

Chaffetz reality-checks Maloney: "We didn't want this to be an election year deal. Should have been dispensed w/ in 2011." #fastandfurious

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 20, 2012

D.C. Delegate Norton just thinks we’re all idiots.

Rep. Norton says #fastandfurious documents are MEANINGLESS to those watching

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 20, 2012

I don't think she got the memo on the purpose of this hearing. #fastandfurious #nortonholmes

— Paul Blair (@gopaulblair) June 20, 2012

WTF? Regarding how Terry was killed: Norton "That's all the public understands". Yeah. Poor dumb us. #fastandfurious

— EricD (@TheMotleyMind) June 20, 2012

Ms Norton, Holder ain't being held in contempt for testimony in previous gunwalker program. Stay in the present honey. #fastandfurious

— Just A Grunt (@Just

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/06/20/attorney-general-eric-holder-contempt-hearing-stonewalling-executive-privilege-more-dangerous-incompetence/

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