ATF Pushes To Destroy Evidence From Obama's Fatal Failure
The failed Fast and Furious operation saw the United States unintentionally arm Mexican cartels, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has informed Congress that it intends to destroy the firearms it still has.
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, slammed the move in a letter released Tuesday night, saying the weapons are still important “evidence.”
“Although the ATF apparently intends to forget its dangerous misconduct in Operation Fast and Furious, the scandal is still a matter of public concern,” he wrote. “I request that you immediately take steps to preserve all evidence associated with Operation Fast and Furious and confirm in writing that you have done so.”
ATF confirmed it had received Mr. Jordan’s letter but declined to comment beyond that.
The Obama administration's misguided attempt to catch gun criminals by allowing weapons to be sold to fictitious buyers, known as straw purchasers, was known as the "Fast and Furious" project.
The ATF was tasked with following the buyers to determine who ended up with the guns.
In the course of the operation, about 2,000 guns were sold, and the majority of them were cast off without being found. Many made their way to Mexico, where they were found at many crime scenes connected to cartels.
After Border Patrol agent Brian Terry was slain in 2010 by Mexican criminals operating within Arizona, the mission came to an end. Fast and Furious two rifles were found at the scene.
The seventh and last offender from the homicide received a sentence.
“I strongly urge you to reconsider this decision and request that you preserve this evidence,” Mr. Jordan wrote.
When the GOP takes over the House next month, he will be in position to lead the Judiciary Committee.
Democrats have long sought to encourage the public to forget about Obama's failed initiative that ended up giving traffickers access to firearms. According to the inspector general, there were "a number of erroneous plans, tactics, judgment mistakes, and management shortcomings."
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to provide information on the operation to House lawmakers.
It was the first time Congress has taken such measure against a sitting Cabinet member, despite the fact that his Justice Department colleagues had decided not to prosecute the case against him.
Following complaints about how he handled the situation,
Obama's Arizona U.S. attorney also resigned in disgrace in response to criticism of his handling of the case, leaving just in time to avoid speaking with the inspector general.