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Rep. Schweikert says maneuver over Fast and Furious is 'not a proper declaration' given the circumstances
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News -- just moments ago that executive privilege has been exerted by the White House over the documents that have been requested in the fast and furious scandal.
And the are looking -- -- on Capitol Hill this morning as well.
As they start to begin the contempt of congress hearings that were already scheduled to get going.
A lot going on and I'm joined now by Arizona Republican congress is it's -- -- Who joins me now and this makes two potential big showdowns between -- executive branch.
And the legislative branch so let's start with the one I just mentioned with regard to fast and furious congress know what what's your take -- -- this this morning.
-- but I'm actually bouncing off the walls almost outrage.
-- -- this is first not even a proper declaration.
Executive privilege but think about how long this dean has been being dragged on by this administration.
It makes you really start to wonder what's in those documents what does this president so desperately -- the -- From those of us in congress and from the American people.
It definitely it raises that question.
And then there's no getting around that because -- they're now going to quite a length.
To prevent these documents from from being seen -- -- But -- after the initial part of part of your assertion there and that is that it that you think that this is an inaccurate exertion.
Executive privilege.
Well let's stop and take one step backwards and the tradition of executive privilege.
Is this information that would benefit our enemies is there something here that has to do -- -- national you know relations with the foreign power does this affect the military none of those apply here.
This is about I'll watch.
Operation by Justice Department and others that it taken life and being from Arizona people had died.
You know south of the border and even on our side of the border we need to understand.
Who knew when they knew it and why this was on the way it was.
So what do you think congress might do.
You know about.
This use of executive privilege anywhere where do you begin I guess is my question.
Well well I think we begin we exactly where -- -- is taking his committee today it's time for contempt of congress.
It is time for the voice of congress to be heard but also the voice of the American people and -- think about this if this -- the previous president.
The left in the media would be bouncing off the walls with anger but somehow this president gets a pass on something that truly is just outrageous.
It's repeated attacks on the constitution.
Whether -- last Friday's.
Order or on the immigration to think just don't follow the law are now I'm just gonna declare executive privilege and not deliver the documents their lights -- the committees asking for.
What you talked about you know that the proper use of executive privilege and I just -- -- Steve -- is moments ago.
And he brought up the example of Vice President Cheney -- saying that the energy meetings.
At the White House fell under that that he did not have to release and is of who participated in this means because it is -- a privilege.
I don't you think that the other side would assert that they you know that that that was also not not an act -- -- -- -- that perhaps.
Footnote eight in that actually comes exactly back to my point before.
Think in this reading and the outrage that also came from the left -- that discussion happen.
Where's that same outrage today.
About cracked I mean you know not not -- go back -- over that well -- ground -- before.
But you know -- it raises the question that when this is used basically when the White House invokes executive privilege.
It is going to spark outrage and it goes back to this big question.
You know about what -- -- to be.
What what what they're trying to prevent from being shown and why they're not why they are now wanting so.
Desperately it might appear poured some of these documents to not be revealed to the public.
And I'll eat you know it just it really does I think as Steve is also pointed out congressman it this will put this smack in the middle of you know.
Most of the mainstream news outlets as well you're gonna -- Only I can only hope -- and look I've been.
Stunned how much of him being from Arizona were ground zero for these actions and and and the devastation in in the chaos that's helped create.
But a lot of the other media around the country have just consider this the sideshow and now it's coming home but Martha -- -- -- the argument.
This type of arrogance.
From this White House is a pattern.
They the number of items where this White House that they just ignored the law because it's inconvenient for re election.
Well let me African -- -- Look at this let's do with this election you know because -- we we get a lot of tweets and you know thoughts from viewers and and and many of them have said you know that this contempt proceeding should have happened.
A long time ago so I guess the main question for you as a congressman is so you -- you can -- -- about -- -- you want but what is congress actually gonna do about it.
And there's been a lot of talk that congress is actually divided on this that that congressman Boehner doesn't necessarily want to push this contempt of congress forward.
What he'd tell us about that is congress will buy it on us.
Well first on that point.
Of there may have been some -- -- differences of the harder we work with the White House I think with the arrogant actions that this White House just executed.
I think he just close this present close the gap and created a unified voice.
Coming from months in the Republican side think you can't do this we will -- got to tell us the truth yeah.
