The Fast and Furious investigation & executive privilege

Hour 1

President Obama invoked executive privilege for the first time last Wednesday.  He was protecting Attorney General Eric Holder, who refused to turn over certain documents to a Congressional committee investigating the Justice Department’s failed gun-smuggling operation know as “Fast and Furious.”  The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), took the unusual step to hold Eric Holder in contempt of Congress; a full House vote on the contempt recommendation is expected later this week. Today we’ll take a look at the gun-running sting that led to the congressional inquiry.  We’ll also discuss the President’s use of executive privilege and whether it was justified?  And we’ll look at issues of transparency, White House power, and the election year politics at play. We’ll talk to MAJOR GARRETT, White House correspondent for the National Journal; and MICHAEL GERHARDT, a professor of Constitution Law and Director of the Center for Law and Government at the University of North Carolina Law School.

Listen to the mp3

Listen:
[audio: 062512_100630.mp3]