Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX), is setting forth articles of impeachment against Attorney General Eric Holder for high crimes and misdemeanor. His office sent out a press release yesterday listing Holder’s offenses, which include lying to Congress, refusing to comply with a subpoena, and failing to fulfill his oath of office. The specific charges against him include:
1. Refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on October 12, 2011, seeking information and documents regarding Operation Fast and Furious. This is a violation of 2 U.S.C. 192.
2. Failure to enforce multiple laws, including the Defense of Marriage Act, the Controlled Substances Act, and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. This is a violation of the oath Mr. Holder swore to "well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office" of Attorney General.
3. Refusal to prosecute the IRS officials involved in the targeting and disclosure of tax records belonging to political donors. This is a violation of the oath Mr. Holder swore to "well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office" of Attorney General.
4. False testimony under oath before Congress on May 15, 2013, about the Justice Department investigation of journalist James Rosen. This is a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1621.
The Fast and Furious scandal Holder is embroiled in dates back to 2009, when straw purchasers working for Mexican drug cartels were allowed to purchase mass amounts of weapons in the United States and then take them back to Mexico. The tracing of those weapons failed and, as a result, thousands of guns were lost in Mexico and found at violent crime scenes. The victims from the operation included such figures as respected Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
As Katie put it, Operation Fast and Furious is the only Department of Justice scandal with a body count.
Based on these facts, perhaps the grounds for impeachment needs no explanation. But, Olson gave one anyway,
“For nearly five years, Attorney General Holder has systematically deceived Congress and destroyed the credibility of the Justice Department in the eyes of the American people. During his tenure, Mr. Holder refused to cooperate with a congressional investigation into Operation Fast and Furious and the resulting death of a Border Patrol agent, refused to prosecute IRS officials who unlawfully disclosed private tax records to third party groups, and misled Congress about his involvement in the investigation of a journalist [...] “I urge my colleagues to join me in beginning this process by cosponsoring this measure now. The American people deserve answers and accountability.”
Joining Olson and his H.Res 411 as original co-sponsors are:
Reps. Larry Buschon (R-IN),
Blake Farenthold (R-TX),
David Roe (R-TN),
Randy Weber (R-TX),
Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA),
Roger Williams (R-TX),
Ted Yoho (R-FL)
Louie Gohmert (R-TX),
Michele Bachmann (R-MN),
Bill Flores (R-TX),
Mark Amodei (R-NV),
Jim Bridenstine (R-OK),
Scott DesJarlais (R-TN),
Jeff Duncan (R-SC),
Duncan Hunter (R-CA),
Sam Johnson (R-TX),
Steve Stockman (R-TX),
Mike Conaway (R-TX),
Thomas Massie (R-KY)
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