For more than two years, House Oversight Chair Darrell Issa (R-CA) has tried to exploit the tragedy of a federal law enforcement agent’s death as part of a crusade against Attorney General Eric Holder, most recently by successfully pushing to hold Holder in contempt of Congress despite objections from the House Republican leadership. Last week, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) upped the ante even further by suggesting that the House GOP could unilaterally attempt to have Holder arrested:
Chaffetz, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told Fox News that there are three options moving forward — going through the U.S. attorney, taking civil action or instructing the House sergeant at arms to “take control of the situation” with an arrest.
However, he acknowledged the House had received a letter from Department of Justice instructing the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia to not pursue legal action.
The Utah congressman predicted that some people will call for Holder’s arrest, but said the House would “try to exhaust” its other options first.
Watch it:
As a reminder, this entire incident concerns Republican anger that Holder has not complied with a subpoena to turn over documents that are not subject to congressional subpoena. Surely, that is an offense worthy of arresting a sitting cabinet official.
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