Border shootout: Dept. of Justice denies gun claim.
Feb. 8, 2011 01:11 PM
Associated Press
The U.S. Justice Department denies a claim that two guns sold in purchases sanctioned by federal firearms agents were later used in a shootout that left a Border Patrol agent dead near the Arizona-Mexico border.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Ronald Weich says in a letter obtained Tuesday by the Associated Press that the claim is false. The letter was written to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa.
Grassley has said he received information that appeared to partially corroborate the claim received by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about the guns.
Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was waiting with other agents on Dec. 14 near the Arizona border city of Nogales when a shootout with bandits erupted. Terry died in the attack.
Within minutes of receiving this story, I got a copy of the letter from a source and David Codrea has posted it on Scribd, here.
The ATF is "lawyering up." We will have some agent reaction to this stonewall attempt shortly. Here's David's take.
LATER: Received this quick analysis from someone well experienced in the ways of DC:
I'm on my way to (REDACTED), but quickly:
1. Denial of the allegation in absolute terms is intended to stop this from going anywhere.
2. Being pleased to Dog & Pony show "what's working well with our program" while obviating all the negative possibilities is the usual plan for ANY kind of Congressional testimony. In other words, controlling the agenda.
3. In case #2 isn't clear, DOJ is clear about saying any OTHER questions about Project Gunrunner are not on the table is out and out stonewalling. It also means that if any such questions are asked, DOJ will refuse to answer them.
. . . But this is standard coverup material that even a boy of 8 would laugh at. Entirely predictable, however; DOJ wants to stop this in its tracks before it fucks up Foreign Relations.
The Mexicans may get bought off or promised to be bought off; and may be exercising "leverage" about this to get political power or concessions or both from Uncle Sam. Gonna be vicious politics, but we already knew that.
13 comments:
Who has the trace data for these two guns and proof they were (or were not) the weapons used in the attack on Brian Terry? This information came from somewhere, I'd like to see it for myself. Having and posting it would blast the DOJ denial right out of the water. Maybe the Senator can obtain it if no one else can.
The Rule of Law no longer pertains to those who are above being just a lowly citizen.
Agenda trumps truth in today's world. The agenda is the coverup of a murder and stricter gun control laws.
I have this feeling that people such as Senator Grassley will stand down on any further investigation. This major scandel is getting ready to dissapear from the radar screens.
I pray that I'm wrong.
Doug
Newark, Ohio
Operation Coverup is now underway...
III N TN
I guess that means the filthy bastards have sufficiently corrupted the chain of custody so that they can be SURE the guns they present as having been captured at the shootout ARE NOT from their gun running activities. That probably ALSO means they have "lost" the bullet that killed agent Terry, or will claim that the guns they "captured" were not used to kill him. The stench becomes EVEN MORE overwhelming.
Hmmmm, Main Justice replies instead of Melson? It's gonna go high up the chain.
sv
This one is done.
Nothing to see here, move along.
No senator will pursue past this letter.
Read the indictments from the trafficking case, it's clear that ATF allowed the buyers to purchase many, many guns. The proof is that ATF followed the purchasers after the purchase.
ATF also allowed these guns to be smuggled into Mexico. The proof is in the map of "Fast and Furious" guns being retrieved all over Mexico.
A new AP story has some additional details--this one, for example:
Grassley spokeswoman Beth Pellett Levine said the Justice Department denied one aspect of allegations presented by whistleblowers and promised to give the senator a briefing. "However, the briefing has still not occurred, and documents provided with the allegations are not consistent with that denial," she said. "There are many specific questions that need to be answered in full by the Justice Department as soon as possible."
I wouldn't be so sure, CCK.
Interesting.
Now they claim that no "monitored" firearms were involved in the Terry killing. Seems to me they just handed a bunch of defense attorneys one hell of a tool, since the Avila Indictment claimed two monitored firearms were recovered at Rio Rico.
Were they, or weren't they? I'd love to see one of these idiots testifying at trial: "So, Mr. Agent... Were you lying about the recovered firearms then, or are you lying now? Take your pick, sir, as to which instance of perjury will get you the least time. Choose wisely."
Yeah, I don't think this is dead quite yet.
This letter has all the snotty overtones of 'shut up and let us play our games'. Senators are not known for appreciating such tripe.
Guess we get to see what Grassley's spine is made of...
Just noticed that the Tucson Citizen gave you your due, Mike:
Translated…”Senator…go pound sand”.
Here are Senator Grassley’s letters.
Copy of DOJ Letter courtsey of Sipsey Street Irregulars
Toastrider is right, we'll get to see what Grassley's spine looks like...
Is this supposed to be news? At least the truth has been outed...now we see how the cover-up will go down.
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