Issa subpoenas WH aide in Fast & Furious probe
posted at 10:45 am on October 14, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
Last week, CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson revealed that an Obama administration spokesman screamed and cursed at her in an attempt to get her to back off of the Operation Fast and Furious scandal. Roll Call’s Jonathan Strong reports this morning that Schultz just found a subpoena on his doorstep along with Eric Holder and host of other figures, but Schultz’ position in the White House itself makes him unique:
House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) made headlines this week byissuing a subpoena for documents from Attorney General Eric Holderabout a botched weapons investigation, but Holder is apparently not Issa’s only target.
A little-noticed provision of the subpoena targets the White House, specifically naming Eric Schultz, a communications aide who was hired in May to respond to media inquiries on oversight matters. …
The subpoena also requires Holder to produce “all communications between and among Department of Justice (DOJ) employees and Executive Office of the President employees, including but not limited to Associate Communications Director Eric Schultz, referring or relating to Operation Fast and Furious or any other firearms trafficking cases.”
Strong’s source on the Oversight Committee says that the subpoena for Schultz came from suspicions that the White House was directing the DoJ’s resistance to document requests. Issa himself told Strong that the committee knew that communications flowed between Schultz and F&F officials, but had been told they were of a personal nature. The committee isn’t taking that at face value:
“The question is whether the White House has been instructing the Justice Department on what [documents] to release,” the source said.
The source added that recent allegations by a CBS reporter that Schultz yelled at her over her coverage of Fast and Furious in part prompted Issa’s questions on the matter, but the source maintained that the inquiry is unrelated to Schultz’s communications with reporters.
Really? Well, perhaps, but I suspect that the committee might be interested in any e-mails that instructed Schultz to start intimidating reporters who have looked into F&F as well. Let’s revisit Attkisson’s recollection of her treatment by administration flacks:
Laura: So they were literally screaming at you?
Attkisson: Yes. Well the DOJ woman was just yelling at me. The guy from the White House on Friday night literally screamed at me and cussed at me.
Laura: Who was the person? Who was the person at Justice screaming?
Attkisson: Eric Schultz. Oh, the person screaming was [DOJ spokeswoman] Tracy Schmaler, she was yelling not screaming. And the person who screamed at me was Eric Schultz at the White House.” …
And I’m certainly not the one to make the case for DOJ and White House about what I’m doing wrong. They will tell you that I’m the only reporter–as they told me–that is not reasonable. They say the Washington Post is reasonable, the LA Times is reasonable, the New York Times is reasonable, I’m the only one who thinks this is a story, and they think I’m unfair and biased by pursuing it.
Since Schultz was brought into the White House strictly for the purpose of dealing with Issa and the Oversight Committee, this is a rather interesting and aggressive tactic. Unlike the DoJ internal correspondence, the White House could have a case for executive privilege on internal communications involving Schultz on discussions related to Fast and Furious, but it would be political dynamite to make that claim. If Obama demands to keep those communications secret, the obvious implication will be that Schultz was ordered to intimidate Attkisson into backing down, which isn’t a crime in itself but is a stinkbomb in the middle of the Hope and Change campaign. Plus, people will naturally ask themselves why the White House wanted to intimidate reporters into silence if they did nothing wrong in F&F.
Heck, that might even wake up the “reasonable” folks at the Washington Post and New York Times.
Blowback
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CBS just did a report today on “GrenadeWalker”
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7384677n
William Amos on October 14, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Boom!
Mord on October 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Please oh please please please let there be active comms between PBHO and his lackeys in which he instructs them to actively obstruct the Gunwalker investigation.
Bishop on October 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Maybe slightly off topic, but I wonder how much this dolt is getting paid to intimidate reporters.
Probably about twice as much as me.
This regime makes me sick to my stomach.
UltimateBob on October 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM
This is gonna get uglier than Hellen Thomas in a string bikini.
Laura in Maryland on October 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM
So is Attkisson still pursuing this or has CBS muzzled her? I know CBS is in the tank for Obama, but this would be a good start toward credibility in the news department.
John Deaux on October 14, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Sure they were. Because they all just felt like talking about the rain on the plains in Spain, right? Or their favorite recipes?
strictnein on October 14, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Transparency promise hardest hit.
BobMbx on October 14, 2011 at 10:52 AM
What did that want ad look like?
Wanted, slick media type to fend off congressional bit bulls and subpoenas. Must have experience with bus undercarriages.
Laura in Maryland on October 14, 2011 at 10:52 AM
See my first link Attkisson did a video report today on Grenadewalker. She isnt letting up.
William Amos on October 14, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Jeez, Ed, I didn’t know you were the spokesman for Rep. Issa.
myrenovations on October 14, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Ulghkchk!! That is the metaphor to end all metaphors.
jwolf on October 14, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Uh, she’s definitely still reporting on this. Check out the link Bill Amos provided in the first post in this thread. If her latest revelation is true(and it appears so), the ATF is in serious doodoo. What the hell are they doing releasing a grenade smuggler from custody on two separate occasions and allowing him to head to Mexico and actually show cartels how to make those weapons?! Seriously, what possible logical motivation would they have? This doesn’t even fall under the anti-2nd amendment conspiracy some have insinuated.
Doughboy on October 14, 2011 at 10:56 AM
As soon as CBS can get rid of Sharyl Attkisson without it looking like they are covering for the administration, she is gone. I wonder if Fox is making a place for her?
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Since I heard about this a few days ago I have been wondering about the difference between screaming and yelling. Clearly, the reporter is talking about an escalation of abuse where one person was *merely* yelling at her and the other person was screaming and cursing.
Really? We now have to judge gradiations of abuse committed by White House staff? Should it matter? Isn’t any abuse unprofessional and uncalled for?
Lily on October 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Of course, it was nothing of the kind, just for the record. The point of F&F was to have as many guns as possible show up at Mexican murder scenes that were purchased in the US.
This was to uphold Hillary and Obooba’s repeated statements that 90% of the guns used by Mexican narcotics cartels were purchased legally in the US.
The purpose of the 90% lie was to justify crackdowns on gun sales and ownership in the US. In other words, the Obooba Administration set out to frame the American firearms industry and its customers.
Just in case there are any new readers today.
Akzed on October 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Good God, woman! Have some mercy! Dry heaves on an empty stomach hurt like hell!
CurtZHP on October 14, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Darn you, that image curdled the milk in my coffee!
Mini-14 on October 14, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Word is that Attkisson was told by her bosses at CBS to focus on the stories she’s researching rather than to do spend time doing interviews about Schultz yelling at her.
teke184 on October 14, 2011 at 10:59 AM
God Bless you, Darrel Issa. Let’s roll!
TXUS on October 14, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Breitbart is gonna show emails today linking OWS to jihadis, of all things. The Mexican drug cartels do not want to take on the US govt in direct military competition. But Hezbollah is present and active in northern Mexico. So, do the math.
Akzed on October 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM
What did I ever do to you, Laura?
Patrick S on October 14, 2011 at 11:01 AM
No matter where she goes, she should be in contention for a Pulitzer…but probably won’t be. Kudos, Ms. Atkisson!
4Freedom on October 14, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Yeah, but why are branches of our government handing not only guns but freaking grenades over to drug cartels?!
Doughboy on October 14, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Really? Was that necessary?
Washington Nearsider on October 14, 2011 at 11:04 AM
O_o
You should be banned.
Bishop on October 14, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Dude…
Mord on October 14, 2011 at 11:05 AM
WOW! that is mind boggling!
Mini-14 on October 14, 2011 at 11:05 AM
From your keyboard to God’s ear.
Get with the program. You can’t determine that until you know which political party is doing what and the prupose of the yelling/screaming. There is good screaming and bad screaming, you know.
platypus on October 14, 2011 at 11:07 AM
By springtime bho will be holed up in a bunker if this keeps up!
tim c on October 14, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Holder: “It depends on what the definition of gun running is.”
Schultz: “What he said.”
Limerick on October 14, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Add this vid to the problems …. Obama kew before Holder claims he did.
pambi on October 14, 2011 at 11:08 AM
I saw a comment last night that said one of the winners of the Nobel prize got his award from tearing apart Porkulous. I wish more would come out about that since The Won is pushing Porkulous II. You are right she deserves to be rewarded but it’s not likely.
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2011 at 11:08 AM
You are a hateful and bitter person to do that too all of us…
right2bright on October 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Just had to postpone lunch til at least 2 PM. Thanks so much for sharing that!
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Get it. Before it’s scrubbed.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:11 AM
* knew
pambi on October 14, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Holy smokes!
petefrt on October 14, 2011 at 11:11 AM
For the same reason we armed the Contras.
Washington Nearsider on October 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM
It seems that there is so much corruption in this administration that Obama at the end of his term will need to issue a blanket pardon/immunity for all those under him.
multiuseless on October 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Exactly, if they are showing the cartels how to make explosives, they did not just want a little thing like the 2nd ammendment suspended. They wanted war. In this hemisphere, on our soil.
ORconservative on October 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM
THAT was totally uncalled for.
There goes my breakfast. And lunch. And dinner.
Heh!
Shambhala on October 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM
That seems HUGE!!! I loved the “lacked jury appeal”. That statement alone should be grounds of immediate dismissal.
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Yes, she’s still covering the story.
But C-BS is pretty much not airing what she’s reporting.
For example, they totally censored the Holder subpoena from the other day, at least on their radio “news” end.
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Whoa, Whoa there!
That would be Weapons Grade Fugly, and I’m sure that it’s prohibited under SALT II or START or some other treaty.
Talk about cruel and unusual punishment for the eyes!
VelvetElvis on October 14, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Get it. Before it’s scrubbed.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Wow .. Saved it.
pambi on October 14, 2011 at 11:13 AM
I think that would have been scrubbed by now if they wanted to-it was upped to youtube on July 8.
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2011 at 11:14 AM
That would make anyone but a Black Panther very nervous.
el rey on October 14, 2011 at 11:16 AM
How about executive privilege in talking to reporters? That’s rich.
Paul-Cincy on October 14, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Wow. This just gets uglier by the minute.
piglet on October 14, 2011 at 11:19 AM
What’s worse is that it was a man committing violence against a women. Where are the feminists when you need them.
chemman on October 14, 2011 at 11:20 AM
How Did Obama Know About Fast and Furious Before Eric Holder?
Now that is interesting.
At what point is the media going to start paying attention to this?
INC on October 14, 2011 at 11:21 AM
That was just beautiful. I hear the number nine bus comin’ round the corner.
Laura in Maryland on October 14, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Heh, Ed, you’re a dreamer.
Redacted, baby!
The CBS higher-ups made an effort early on to take her off and put some cub reporter on it but they got so much flack they had to give it back to her. The treatment she got from the execrable Tracy Schmaler (ex-Yahoo, ex Pat Leahy aide) at DOJ and Schulz backfired big time though. When Atkisson revealed it on Laura Ingraham’s show her bosses at CBS were effectively handcuffed. When they tried to sequester her thereafter they got a taste of what was in store for them if they did. Expect her to keep on reporting on it while her bosses squirm.
The grenade story is old news, but I’m glad it is getting out. F&F is just the tip of the iceberg.
novaculus on October 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Wasn’t that to fight communism? The grenade smuggler the ATF released from custody(TWICE!) did not seem to have a similarly noble agenda.
Doughboy on October 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM
This, my friends, is why the Senate race is so important…this would have never been uncovered, dealt with, if we had not won the House.
As important as the White House, we can’t take our eye off the Senate ball…
right2bright on October 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Flunked history did you?
right2bright on October 14, 2011 at 11:23 AM
That conclusion is hard to avoid. Maybe they wanted just a small war, but an armed conflict none the less.
Mind boggling.
petefrt on October 14, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Holder being led off to jail, and the reports will be that he is on a “special assignment” from Obama.
right2bright on October 14, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Issa already knows what is in the materials he asked for.
dogsoldier on October 14, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Obama’s own personal army perhaps? Working in cooperation with the OWS, and over throwing the govt….thereby making Obama king, Michelle, queen and their daughters princesses???
Do I need a tinfoil hat, or am I getting close? Anti aircraft weapons, grenades, guns all in the hands of people who kill without remorse, without conscience, and without impunity.
capejasmine on October 14, 2011 at 11:26 AM
I think it’s because the drug cartels are knowingly working with Hezbollah. Hezbollah is Iran’s proxie. That bomb plot exposed this week involved an Iranian who thought he was working with the Zetas cartel. We know Hezbollah is in northern Mexico. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that the plotters thought they had contacted, not just a Zetas member, but a go-between with Hezbollah.
To the point at hand then, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that someone in the govt thinks it’s a good idea to arm Hezbollah. Maybe a stretch, but then, who woulda believed a year ago that someone in the govt thought it was a good idea to arm the cartels?
OWS is designed to destabilize the US. It will get bigger and become violent and be used to disrupt life as we know it. Think of candidate Obooba’s words about “fundamentally changing the United States of America.” The constitutional way to do that would be the amendment process. Community organizers don’t have time for that.
Akzed on October 14, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Breitbart is about to reveal ‘overthrow’ connections to OWS folks later today … so, believing that they (leftie leaders promoting and encouraging OWS) wanted actual armed conflict on our soil is NOT a far-fetched concept.
pambi on October 14, 2011 at 11:28 AM
When it feels like this.
platypus on October 14, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Nope. Quite the opposite actually. The Contras opposed the Junta (which we also opposed) so we sold weapons to Iran to get slush-fund money with which to arm the Contras.
In this case, we’re arming one gang against another. Not nearly the same goals (a stable government won’t come out of this, no matter what, for example) but the logic is similar.
Washington Nearsider on October 14, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Wow, Fast and Furious was shovel ready!!!!!!
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Darryl Issa, like a pitbull on a ham bone. Go get’em Darryl. Don’t let go!
DuctTapeMyBrain on October 14, 2011 at 11:33 AM
You really need to get over your obsession with facts. You’re annoying the spin doctors and enraging the storytellers around here.
platypus on October 14, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Obama said in March that Holder was aware of ‘something going on’ and had told his IG to look into it. That’s Zero’s effort at sayin’ don’t worry, my guy is on top of it. Someone needs to ask our dear leader just when was it that the doj ig was asked to look into it. When was it that our dear leader said that he certainly did not know anything about F&F. Do believe it was after Holder claimed it had only been 2 weeks that he was aware of it. They need a beer summit to get their stories straight.
Kissmygrits on October 14, 2011 at 11:36 AM
And the best part is this hambone is still alive and fully able to appreciate the “devotion” of the pitbull.
platypus on October 14, 2011 at 11:37 AM
BOR interviewed her on his show sometime last week–Thursday or Friday. Anymore, Fox seems to be the destination for reporters who prefer to be equal-opportunity bashers when something deserves to be bashed. Ed Henry’s been pretty good since leaving CNN. John Roberts–take him or leave him–left CNN, too. Then, look at the feature people who have flocked to Fox for more room to manuever–Beck, Stossel (awesome), Dobbs.
In this day and age, when there’s so much access to information, reporters need to decide whether they want to look like idiotic lackeys or act like the fourth estate.
BuckeyeSam on October 14, 2011 at 11:39 AM
They had a beer summit (or two). That’s how the stories got so wonderfully meandering.
platypus on October 14, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Akzed on October 14, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Speaking of Iran, let’s not forget Chavez’ friendship with Iran and the suspicion that he is allowing Iran to build missile bases in Venezuela.
Obama’s love-fest with Chavez early on in his administration was sickening and revealed him to be a complete fool. With the revelation of Iran’s attempt to commit the assassination of a diplomat on US soil, Hezbollah very much alive and active in Mexico one has to wonder at the criminal incompetence of this administration.
Yes, BO has killed a number of Al Queda terrorists, but at the same time he has ignored the immediate threats on our Southern border. Not only that, he has made it worse for what appears to be purely political reasons.
There is no forgiving this administration on any front.
Cody1991 on October 14, 2011 at 11:39 AM
I just pray for the safety of Issa and Grassley! They are dealing with really nasty critters and I would not put anything past them!
L
letget on October 14, 2011 at 11:40 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ijuODgMYME&NR=1
New, comprehensive plan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PNhYk9NuNc
Shows that Obama knew. Gun Runner.
Mexicans! Obama going to speed up equipment and weapons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ijuODgMYME&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ijuODgMYME&NR=1
Going to continue giving drugs!
CBS’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvRzrSXota8&feature=related
/ I am so tired.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:43 AM
that’s for sure.
Bill Ayers would approve of this one.
ted c on October 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Seriously. I hope these guys up their security. Heads on a swivel, guys…
Washington Nearsider on October 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Dollar to donut says yes. I hope it’s a big fat raise in pay, too.
All three were great hires. Dobbs has become my first watch for the evening news. I catch FNC’s Special Report on the re-run, if at all.
petefrt on October 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM
I’ll tell you what, all this shit is related and Issa has got to figure that if he is not like a pitbull with a hambone, this country is going down……………it feels really close.
I was speaking to a family member in Texas a few days ago who is anti Obama and this family member had NO idea what Fast and Furious was. NONE. I was stunned.
ORconservative on October 14, 2011 at 11:45 AM
They gave Judith Miller a place after the NYT left her out to dry. The other “news” organizations can laugh at “Fair & Balanced” but in the long run they can’t deny the truth.
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2011 at 11:45 AM
This is gonna get uglier than Hellen Thomas in a string bikini.
Laura in Maryland on October 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM
—————————————————————
Ye Gods, how can I ever go shopping again with my stringbag ?
Sandybourne on October 14, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Argh.
I am trying to post numerous links that show, without a doubt, that Obama knew, or should have known of F&F.
I will keep trying to post. There are vids and print.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Betcha the shredders have been working overtime.
Qzsusy on October 14, 2011 at 11:46 AM
OMG I wish I hadn’t read that.
Chessplayer on October 14, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Good work Key. Your prior posts and videos are very revealing and damning for holder and obambi. Thanks!
VegasRick on October 14, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Let me correct myself. The vid I’m trying to post was in March 2011. that is two months before Holder’s May 2011 faux.
Why can’t I post this vid? Wow. Ah, here we go.
March 2010. Meaning, that Obama knew about F&F before Holder did.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Obama, Napolitano, et al, KNEW….
Not “should have known, not would have known” they KNEW.
What now?
If you think about it, it’s almost as if America armed Mexico in an effort to …………what?
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:51 AM
There, FIFY!
OMG!
herm2416 on October 14, 2011 at 11:53 AM
I think it was all about taking OUR guns away. These douchebags HATE the fact that we are a very well armed citizenry.
VegasRick on October 14, 2011 at 11:54 AM
The Obama presidency – change that can put you 6 feet under (in little pieces).
And BTW, I wonder how that internal inspector general’s investigation is doing. Who could envy his phoney job?
Chessplayer on October 14, 2011 at 11:54 AM
And this…. on the heels of the alleged Iranian plot to come through… MEXICO!!… and then arm some terrorist to go to DC and shoot a Saudi?
Obama? Be prepared to answer to the G8. Ezra Klein can not be counted upon to release major international news. On your behalf.
You’re welcome.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:55 AM
I know they want to destroy the US, but why would they want to empower the cartels and destroy the Mexican country? Do the want all the Mexicans to leave Mexico?
Oh, then come here to vote for Obama! Well, yeah they would be illegal voters, but when did that ever stop the Democrats?
It’s hard to get inside a demented mind and figure out why they do what they do.
odannyboy on October 14, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Alas, all too likely.
Won’t matter. EMail and video are forever, along with all the backups of backups of all the servers the messages and media traveled through. They can never scrub all the nooks and crannies.
I think Issa has Holder cold. He’s probably only working out what the charges are going to be.
dogsoldier on October 14, 2011 at 11:56 AM
US Attorney: “Grenade parts are novelty items”
Wow! Just wow!
Trafalgar on October 14, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Oh, they’re transparent in their own special way.
PersonFromPorlock on October 14, 2011 at 11:57 AM
I get the feeling that administration officials could have gone a long ways without getting nasty and purposely making Chairman Darrell Issa’s job so much harder.
I don’t think he likes the fibbing too well either.
Speakup on October 14, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Yes because we cannot be controlled easily if we are armed. This OWS nonsense may be about the same thing, y’know.
dogsoldier on October 14, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Oh, of course not! How silly of you! You rube. How dare you question the authority of the very elect! Down with you, Vegas Rick. And down with your industry. And down with your macaroni and cheese dinners for free in the likes of the buffet’s of Las Vegas!
/Eh, kidding. We’re going to ski … hopefully if the tide comes in later. Looking cloudy about now.
Key West Reader on October 14, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Exactly. Moreover, it’s almost impossible to comprehend how much they despise the law abiding people who own guns. What is that demographic?!
Not only is this administration intent on destroying the middle class they are determined to strip as many of our rights as possible. It’s Alinsky on steroids.
The Black Panther voter intimidation case put it all into perspective for me. How much do they despair over crime in the inner cities? How about the flash mobs, shootings and murder, especially in Chicago? Nothing.
This is, indeed, the most transparent administration ever.
Cody1991 on October 14, 2011 at 12:03 PM
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