Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Lack of accountability in the 'Fast and Furious' scandal?

Details

  • Description

    Amos Snead and Joe Sestak discuss why trust in the Government is eroding

  • Duration 9:38
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

FoxNews.com LIVE

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

-- I'm curious to hear what former Democrat.

Pennsylvania congressman Joseph suspect would say about the situation and also Amos Snead.

Former Press Secretary for house Republican whip Roy Blunt and principal now a story partners gentlemen good to see about.

We didn't see Harris just -- fact since the attacks are coming.

Problem basically Democrats or Republicans that this is a political witch hunt I wanna know why you think that is and if you think that that's even beneficial to say at this point.

Because when you look at it it's a family who just wants some answers it.

I think there is some political.

Issues involved in this is there isn't anything in Washington DC but I do believe that represented -- and congress has the absolute right.

To pursue a reasonable inquiry about whether there were those in the higher echelons of the Justice Department that knew something.

And hasn't revealed I think I learned in the navy that you can expect what she wins back.

When I lost the -- at -- for example there and I deployment for the war in Afghanistan.

There was an inquiry to find out can we hold someone accountable like we should be can we also fix the process select what you said -- it doesn't happen again.

On the other hand I worked in law and the White House during the president Clinton's administration and I saw how important.

Deliberations are that you can speak your mind.

You're not -- think it's going to be in the Washington Post New York Times the next day however courts have ruled.

Almost invariably that's for national security vitamin a security interest.

I think what we have here is.

An issue where accountability shouldn't be pursued in a reasonable way unfortunately as the family has revealed least one member it's become a little bit too much of a political football and all loses in this.

Are the American people but.

Accountability to -- all -- as you know Harris we even have these gun walking operations stern President Bush's administration so we should to have a -- thorough investigation.

Well you know you see -- -- a good point this is not the first time we have seen an operation like this.

But it's the first time that we know and Joseph I think you'd agree with me here -- matter whose administration it is that we know.

That anything has gone wrong and when you know something has gone wrong isn't the -- on -- to say -- -- know -- -- Absolutely you know congress has a responsibility for oversight of the administration and all the federal agencies what they're doing here is exercising that right.

And what we -- seeing from the department of justice and from the White House not to give any answers it's just a lack of accountability.

And I think accountability is so crucial for a leader in today's time but to just say we're not gonna give you any of the answers not to the American people not to this poor family who's lost a loved one.

-- it's it's just -- it's not good politics.

You know the Wall Street Journal has an article -- this morning the GOP keeps punching in the fight with holder.

Joseph are they or are they.

Landing some blows and all of -- Well.

I'm not sure that the electorate is going to be much affected by what comes out of this to me this is about good government.

It's -- emphasis point this lack of accountability.

Is and both -- it has been for over a decade.

It's been and Wall Street's been throughout Americans why Americans don't trust.

Big government today because people are not held accountable what they're supposed to do but all that said I still believe.

That we should have accountability in this issue I also believe the overarching issue when you going to -- county Pennsylvania.

Is what are you doing for the economy.

I don't I'm not dismissing this accountability should be done.

But I think that is what's really people going to still be making their decisions -- and that's maybe why you don't see this as a hot issue out there except.

Kind of when people talk about it as much people are concerned awful launder their jobs and getting a better -- He you know I'm I'm looking at the live chat right now you talk about political.

Expediency and all of this -- Larry shooter writes good morning Harris attorney general holder will get a reprieve.

And the final outcome won't come until January 2013.

You know I'm wondering does Mitt Romney -- -- -- this and start to punch as hard as the rest of of the established Republicans and use this.

For November do you think gave us or organ do we -- not know what's gonna happen until next year.

Now I think you're gonna see Mitt Romney and his team focused on the economy focus on his plan to create jobs.

What I do think you will see the campaign committees -- -- RNC go after fast imperious pretty aggressively.

Because what we've seen through this administration if you look at the GAO if you look at the Secret Service if you look at the Solyndra boondoggle and now fast and furious.

There's just been as just said no accountability so I don't think that Mitt Romney or his team -- gonna go after this they're gonna talk about jobs and the economy.

But I do think you'll see a campaign committees and really latch on to try to keep this in the news.

-- -- -- again I'm looking I'm looking to the live -- to kind of get.

Some more -- or -- for what we're talking about this morning because I mean it kind of questions that I want to know.

Are what happens next with all of this I mean you have what 910 hearings on -- I'm wondering if they've yielded any thing.

And show you you've heard the words which might use but you've also heard the words from this very family that's most effective that we know -- Brian Terry's parents.

Say this administration is high ratings -- back.

Look I think this is why we have the process is set up as we do and I think the right we should find out if anything is being hit.

You remember very well Harris that we had to have a contempt of congress for -- rove during the Bush Administration.

Big -- after the firing of the -- attorney generals and that didn't get resolved.

Until after President Bush left office and he finally do you agree on -- yeah -- -- that we won't know what's happening until January -- thirteen month about my take.

My take is that neither cases are right -- -- to come forward to congress and we should be on in this case.

Providing the additional memorandum that are being asked for.

But I do think you're going to see that this is probably going to be delayed because of the contempt of congress is passed.

By the whole congress.

Then it goes to a attorney general that works for the Justice Department.

And as much what happened during the Bush Administration.

When this occurred against Karl Rove he just sat on it that Republican won its old I don't think that's the right way to approach it either that case of this case because they -- this point.

Both sides need accountability and that's what's wrong with the system is that they don't -- is this an expeditious way.

All right I want to step in for just a second and Amos I'm gonna ask your indulgence I promise to give your chance to speak up in just the second thing is.

-- is pointing out I mean he has the actual experience having been in congress so I'm curious Chris givens won.

Right to -- -- what are the consequences of a contempt vote.

-- you know the consequences are that it then goes over to the it is initial branch out there a attorney general -- that it.

And determines wedded to bring it into court in order for them to be part prosecuted under the law.

What happened so what is happening in the one case that in the Bush Administration when this occurred that was -- temple course against -- rove.

The attorney general who was does need to do this for the district attorney excuse me sat on it.

Until after the election that didn't help looking at the overarching point here that -- is coming up for your -- and I agree with the principle so much.

If there is something that should be pursued let's pursue it it has to with the national security we can't.

Those are executive privilege but I think at the end of the day you'll find out by the time this is all over probably after the election.

That this will probably resolve this one that the courts -- say was not -- security -- reveal it to congress and -- Brought up executive privilege and so now I'm gonna go back to live chatting give this -- you -- David Larsen writes.

Holder should be put into jail and Obama's administration should be investigated due to the fact that executive privilege is only if it involves the president.

And -- -- argument here of course famous is that.

Where the question an argument kind of inherited this is that if the president were not involved in fast and furious.

How can he use any sort of executive privilege -- holding on information.

Sure I mean this is being going on for what eighteen months and you've had chairman ice and his committee looking in every direction.

I think at the beginning of this the president said he had nothing to do it -- But I think it goes back to accountability the American people that family they deserve answers.

And for some reason the Justice Department and the Obama White House are not giving those answers they're protecting something or some -- And I you know hopefully in the next few weeks but I agree -- -- that this will probably not be.

Resolved until after the election but I think it's a quest for answers American people deserve that.

I know Harris if I could you bring it up but it very of that -- present a very important issue you can go back in time to find out that.

The first president -- really asserted executive who was John F.

Kennedy.

And his policy was only the president.

Could insert it now they'll the president since then.

Whether -- President Nixon President Clinton President Bush have all permitted their agencies to.

Have executive privileges that pop that -- I think it's right that only the president should be able to.

Say I am exerting -- executive privilege on this case so do you think that this is overreaching and having would you call up your Democrat friends and tell them that there are overreaching.

Well what I do believe is again what happens too much on not just this president -- other presidents is.

They want to kind of distance themselves from it so they let their agency heads -- unlike president Kennedy.

Say I -- exerting the executive privilege and I think that's a better way captain of the ship should do it.

You're very funny just -- fact.

Famous -- -- just suspect heparin and I appreciate both of you gentlemen being here this morning.

We're gonna take.

Load More