The Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Justice has released a 400 page report, concluding the internal DOJ investigation into Operation Fast and Furious. Current IG Michael Horowitz will present key findings in the report tomorrow during a Congressional Oversight hearing on Capitol Hill. Horowitz took over the IG position in March when former IG Cynthia Schnedar stepped down. Schnedar, who did the bulk of the work in the report, is a long time friend of Attorney General Eric Holder and worked for him during his time as U.S. Attorney in Washington D.C.
DOJ Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jason Weinstein, who played a heavy role during Fast and Furious and in its scandalous aftermath, submitted his resignation just moments ago.
Stay tuned to Townhall for details as we read through the report.
UPDATE: Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Darrell Issa has issued a response.
“The Inspector General’s report confirms findings by Congress’ investigation of a near total disregard for public safety in Operation Fast and Furious. Contrary to the denials of the Attorney General and his political defenders in Congress, the investigation found that information in wiretap applications approved by senior Justice Department officials in Washington did contain red flags showing reckless tactics and faults Attorney General Eric Holder’s inner circle for their conduct.
“Former Deputy Attorney General Gary Grindler, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer who heads the Criminal Division, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jason Weinstein, Arizona U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke, and Holder’s own Deputy Chief of Staff Monty Wilkinson are all singled out for criticism in the report. It’s time for President Obama to step in and provide accountability for officials at both the Department of Justice and ATF who failed to do their jobs. Attorney General Holder has clearly known about these unacceptable failures yet has failed to take appropriate action for over a year and a half.” Schmaler should be fired and Congress should investigate the cozy friendship between the Department of Justice and Media Matters immediately.
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